Eric W. Hathcock, Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin, West Virginia 2020

Local Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Heroin Distribution

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eric W. Hathcock, a 37-year-old resident of Martinsburg, has been sentenced to 15 months of incarceration for distributing fentanyl and heroin in Berkeley County.

According to court records, Hathcock admitted to selling heroin and fentanyl in June 2019. He pleaded guilty to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin” in May 2020.

Hathcock’s guilty plea was the result of a joint investigation by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep, which aims to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in high-risk areas and identify wholesale distribution networks.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over Hathcock’s sentencing hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The 15-month sentence marks a significant blow to Hathcock’s operation, which was responsible for distributing fentanyl and heroin in the Martinsburg area.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing Hathcock to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/martinsburg-man-sentenced-drug-charge-1