Man Admits to Selling ‘Crack’ in Ranson

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A 25-year-old man from Ranson, West Virginia, has admitted to selling cocaine base, also known as ‘crack,’ in Jefferson County.

Shaquan Osullivan Kelly pleaded guilty today to one count of ‘Distribution of Cocaine Base.’ The crime took place in August 2018.

Kelly faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. According to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence will be based on the seriousness of the offenses and Kelly’s prior criminal history.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. A team of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, investigated the crime.

The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, also played a key role in the investigation. The task force consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the case.

Kelly’s guilty plea marks a significant blow to the local community, which has been plagued by issues with cocaine base and other illicit substances.