Baltimore Man Admits to PCP Trafficking in WV

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Joseph Young, a 55-year-old man hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, has confessed to a serious drug charge, according to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II. The case shines a harsh light on the flow of dangerous narcotics into the Mountain State.

Young pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute 100 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing Phencyclidine (PCP).” Court documents reveal that in September 2019, authorities in Jefferson County uncovered evidence linking Young to a substantial quantity of the potent and dangerous drug – exceeding 100 grams. The specific details of the bust remain sealed, but sources indicate a complex operation was required to bring Young to justice.

If convicted, Young is staring down a minimum of six years behind bars, with the potential for up to ten years of incarceration. He also faces a hefty fine of up to $5,000,000. However, the final sentence will hinge on a thorough assessment of the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history Young may have. The federal sentencing guidelines are notoriously unforgiving, and a lengthy prison term is highly probable.

This investigation wasn’t a solo effort. It’s a direct result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), operating under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative is laser-focused on choking off the supply of synthetic opioids – and now PCP – in designated “hot spot” areas, aiming to drastically reduce overdoses and deaths. The goal isn’t just street-level arrests; it’s dismantling the entire wholesale distribution network, tracing the drugs back to their national and international sources.

Federal prosecutors Lara Omps-Botteicher and Eleanor F. Hurney are leading the charge against Young. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force – a HIDTA-funded initiative. The multi-agency approach underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for coordinated law enforcement.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the guilty plea. The case serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively targeting drug traffickers, regardless of where they originate, and are committed to stemming the tide of illegal narcotics flooding West Virginia’s communities. Expect further developments as the sentencing date approaches, and Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this unfolding story.

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