WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Lee Edgell, a 32-year-old Belmont, Ohio resident, has copped to a drug trafficking charge in a stunning admission. United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II confirmed the news.
In a court appearance, Edgell pleaded guilty to one count of ‘Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.’ The crime took place in January 2021 within Ohio County, where law enforcement officials seized a staggering 191 grams of methamphetamine, colloquially known as ‘ice,’ and an additional 89 grams of fentanyl. A cash windfall totaling $12,380 was also recovered from Edgell’s vehicle during the search.
The perils of drug trafficking were all too clear in this case, as Edgell stood to face up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine reaching $1,000,000. The severity of his sentence, under Federal Sentencing Guidelines, will be determined by the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history he may have.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is spearheading the prosecution for the government, with the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, leading the investigation. The task force’s relentless pursuit of drug traffickers was on full display in this case.
The proceedings were presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone, ensuring that justice was served in this pivotal moment for both law enforcement and the community.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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