Ohio Man Sentenced for Heroin Distribution in W.Va.

Huntington, W.Va. – In a gritty sentence that sends a message to drug traffickers in the Southern District of West Virginia, Ralph Shoemaker, 36, from Gallipolis, Ohio, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers to 15 months’ imprisonment. This term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

Shoemaker’s sentence follows his December 2014 guilty plea, where he admitted selling heroin to a confidential informant working with the West Virginia State Police. The Ohio man also confessed to distributing heroin in both Gallipolis, Ohio, and Mason County, West Virginia, over a six-month period between summer 2012 and March 2013.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has been leading an ongoing battle against the illicit sale and misuse of heroin and prescription drugs. With federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies joining forces, they aim to aggressively pursue and shut down illegal drug trafficking rings, eliminate open-air markets, and curtail the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in affected communities.

This case was a significant victory for the investigative team, which included the West Virginia State Police and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail handled the prosecution with determination and skill, ensuring justice for those affected by Shoemaker’s illegal activities.

For the Southern District of West Virginia, this sentencing is yet another step in their relentless pursuit of a drug-free future. The commitment to eradicating such criminal operations will continue as they work tirelessly to protect the citizens of this region from the grip of addiction and crime.

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