1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

 

September 17, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wheeling Resident Enters Plea
to “Crack” Cocaine Distribution Charge

 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA — A 33 year old Wheeling, West Virginia, resident entered a plea of guilty today (September 17, 2009) in United States District Court in Wheeling before Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. for his role in distributing “crack” cocaine following a five-month investigation conducted by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that MICHAEL PEARSON entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with the distribution of “crack” cocaine on February 17, 2009, in Wheeling. As part of his plea, PEARSON agreed to forfeit a .22 Smith and Wesson revolver, two digital scales and $3,788 in drug proceeds as well as $1,460 and cocaine seized from PEARSON’s residence on April 14, 2009, when a search warrant was executed.

PEARSON, who is currently incarcerated on state charges, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr. The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Task Force consists of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.