Solomon K. Gebretekle, Methamphetamine and Heroin Distribution, Ohio 2020

Columbus Man Sentenced to 200 Months in Prison for Running Ohio-to-West Virginia Drug Operation

Columbus, Ohio - In a federal court, Solomon K. Gebretekle, 22, was found guilty of distributing methamphetamine and heroin in and around Charleston, W.Va.

The U.S. District Court sentenced Gebretekle to 200 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He also pleaded guilty to a substantive count of possessing the more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Gebretekle regularly traveled from Ohio to West Virginia to sell narcotics to drug seekers there. After being arrested on a federal criminal complaint in January 2019, Gebretekle continued to direct the drug operation from jail.

Law enforcement officials intercepted jail calls, where Gebretekle gave specific instructions to a co-conspirator in order to further his drug business. In one jail call, Gebretekle threatened one of his narcotics customers regarding the explicit consequences he faced if the customer did not pay his drug debt to the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Salvador A. Dominguez represented the United States in this case, and the Charleston, W. Va. DEA field office assisted in the investigation. The U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson presided over the case.

The defendants' crimes spanned multiple jurisdictions, with Gebretekle operating his drug ring across state lines. His actions demonstrate the severity of the opioid epidemic and the need for law enforcement to crack down on those responsible.

The 200-month prison sentence imposed on Gebretekle serves as a deterrent to those who would engage in similar illicit activities. The community can be assured that justice has been served.

This case is a result of a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, including the DEA and ATF. Their dedication to upholding the law and keeping our communities safe is commendable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/columbus-man-sentenced-200-months-prison-running-ohio-west-virginia-drug-operation