Berkeley County Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years

A 32-year-old Hedgesville, West Virginia man has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars for distributing fentanyl. Bradley Markley, 32, was handed down a 180-month sentence by Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh for his role in distributing the highly lethal opioid in October 2016 in Berkeley County.

Markley pleaded guilty to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl” in March 2018, admitting to distributing the drugs. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Z. Krasinski and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher on behalf of the government.

The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation into Markley’s activities. Markley’s actions put not only his community at risk, but also law enforcement who are exposed to fentanyl while doing their jobs.

U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, who announced Markley’s sentencing, emphasized the dangers of fentanyl and the efforts of his office to combat the opioid crisis. “Fentanyl kills. A lethal dose is only two milligrams—about the mass of two grains of salt. Unfortunately, the entrance of fentanyl into the opioid crisis has only exasperated the dangers to our community. The dangers extend to law enforcement who risk their own lives by mere exposure to fentanyl. Our prosecutors have made fentanyl cases a priority, and we will be adding additional resources to combat the increased workload. The dangers to our community are real and our efforts will be unrelenting,” Powell said.

The sentencing of Markley serves as a reminder of the consequences of distributing fentanyl and the importance of ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis in West Virginia.

Markley’s case is just one example of the ongoing work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable those who are responsible for distributing fentanyl and other dangerous opioids in the Eastern District of West Virginia.

The case is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, and the community to prevent the devastating effects of fentanyl and other opioids.

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