Cocaine Trafficking Sting Nets Ohio Man and Two Wheeling Natives
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – In a shocking display of brazen disregard for the law, an Ohio man and two Wheeling natives have been charged with cocaine trafficking near local schools.
Samuel J. Pete, 28, of Youngstown, Ohio, Krista D. Dennis, 28, and Patrick A. Groves, 24, both of Wheeling, West Virginia, were indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.
The indictment charges the defendants with numerous counts of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of various protected locations, including Bishop Donahue High School in McMechen, West Virginia Northern Community College, and Ritchie Elementary School in Wheeling.
Pete, Dennis, and Groves each face up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00 for each count. The indictment also charges all three defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute crack cocaine, for which they each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00.
Pete is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McWilliams on behalf of the government. The case is being investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force and the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, both HIDTA-funded initiatives.
It’s worth noting that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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