Cornelius Johnson Jr., Cocaine Trafficking, West Virginia 2014

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury has handed down indictments against a Wheeling man accused of cocaine trafficking, according to a release from the office of United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.

Cornelius Johnson, Jr., 38, faces serious charges, including four counts of "Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Cocaine Base," which carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00 on each count.

In addition, Johnson is charged with four counts of "Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location," which could result in a prison sentence of between one and forty years and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00 on each count.

Johnson is also accused of maintaining a drug involved premises, a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00. Furthermore, he faces a charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

The investigation into Johnson’s alleged activities was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.

Johnson is presumed innocent until proven guilty, as stated in the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin will be prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

A press release from the office of United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, stated that an indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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