Michael Ray Fortuna, Oxycodone Trafficking, West Virginia 2011

Metro Valley Man Sentenced to 10+ Years in Prison for Operating Logan-based Pain Pill Distribution Scheme

A Logan County man who organized an oxycodone trafficking scheme that included out-of-state trips to Florida to obtain thousands of powerful pain pills was sentenced yesterday to 10 years and one month in federal prison.

Michael Ray Fortuna, 45, of Peach Creek, previously pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Fortuna’s sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston in Charleston.

Fortuna told police that he organized a pill distribution scheme that included his brother and co-defendant Ronald Fortuna, 36, also of Peach Creek, as well as other associates. Ronald Fortuna was sentenced in November to two years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

During the scheme, Michael Fortuna obtained oxycodone from pill sources located in Florida and, in some instances, he or others at his direction, including his brother, traveled to Florida and brought oxycodone pills back to Logan County to sell.

On April 29, 2011, investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service seized a package addressed to Michael Fortuna. Investigators executed a federal search warrant on the package and discovered that it contained 1,789 30-milligram oxycodone tablets and bore a fictitious return address.

Fortuna also told investigators that he mailed cash to his source of supply located in Florida to pay for the illegal oxycodone deliveries. In particular, Michael Fortuna mailed a package that contained at least $30,000.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the US 119 Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Logan County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/respondent name: Michael Ray Fortuna, Exact criminal charges: conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, City and state: Charleston, West Virginia, Exact date: January 2011 (plea), Sentence or outcome: 10 years and one month in federal prison, Dollar amounts where applicable: $30,000.

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