Edson Velasquez-Lopez, Unlawful Use of a Communication Device, West Virginia 2021

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Berkeley County man has admitted to a serious crime, according to a recent investigation. Edson Velasquez-Lopez, 51, of Martinsburg, pleaded guilty to one count of ‘Unlawful Use of a Communication Device.’

Velasquez-Lopez admitted to using a phone to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in March 2021 in Berkeley County. This serious charge comes with severe consequences.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Velasquez-Lopez faces up to four years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the severity of the crimes and any prior criminal history.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Timothy D. Helman are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the case.

The case was heard before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble.

Edson Velasquez-Lopez, 51, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of ‘Unlawful Use of a Communication Device.’

Velasquez-Lopez was charged with using a phone to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in March 2021 in Berkeley County, West Virginia.

Defendant: Edson Velasquez-Lopez

Criminal Charge: Unlawful Use of a Communication Device

City and State: Martinsburg, West Virginia

Date: March 2021

Sentence: Up to four years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2021

Apr 27, 2022

Drug Trafficking

Rolando Oyervides Jr., Trafficking Methamphetamine, Firearms, Texas 2020

Apr 7, 2026

Drug Trafficking

Kevin Cornelious Davis, Cocaine Trafficking, North Carolina 2011

Jul 14, 2015

Drug Trafficking

Cleola Hogan, Tampering with a Consumer Product, Tennessee 2024

Dec 5, 2024