Robert Montalvo Laureano, Cocaine Distribution, West Virginia 2015

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - A pair of men have been brought to justice for their roles in distributing illicit substances in the Mountain State.

Robert Montalvo Laureano, 33, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, previously of Moorefield, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for distributing cocaine. Laureano pled guilty in June 2015 to one count of “Cocaine Distribution – Aiding and Abetting.”

According to court documents, Laureano was involved in the distribution of cocaine, a highly addictive and potent stimulant. The illicit substance has ravaged communities across the country, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Laureano's sentencing is a significant blow to the cocaine trade in West Virginia. His conviction serves as a reminder that those who engage in drug trafficking will be held accountable for their actions.

The investigation into Laureano's activities was carried out by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the case.

In a separate matter, Samuel Lee Winebrenner, 29, of Petersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for distributing morphine. Winebrenner pled guilty in February 2016 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Morphine.”

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

Laureano's 21-month prison sentence is a significant penalty for the 33-year-old defendant. The prison term reflects the gravity of the crime and serves as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar activities.

This case is a prime example of the law enforcement community's commitment to combating drug trafficking in West Virginia.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/two-sentenced-cocaine-morphine-distribution