FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 7, 2011
TWO OHIO MEN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON FEDERAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION CHARGES
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jacob Dodson, 35, of Zanesville, Ohio, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers on federal drug charges. Dodson pleaded guilty to a single-count information in September 2010 charging him with conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Dodson admitted that during 2007 until September of 2009, he conspired with known individuals to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana. Dodson admitted that he participated in a scheme with a drug supplier in Mexico to have pound quantities of marijuana brought to him in Ohio for distribution. Dodson used a Zanesville, Ohio warehouse to unload shipments of marijuana that were subsequently distributed to other individuals for resale in and around the Huntington area.
On October 7, 2009, officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Zanesville residence and recovered a quantity of marijuana, numerous firearms, and digital scales. At the time the search warrant was executed, Dodson admitted to officers that he, in fact, obtained large quantities of marijuana from a Mexican source of supply for distribution.
In a separate hearing, Russell Nelson, 48, of Zanesville, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Nelson admitted that from 2007 until September of 2009, he conspired with known individuals to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The defendant further admitted to allowing an associate to use a garage that he owned in Zanesville, Ohio, to be used as an off-loading facility for the receipt and distribution of large quantities of marijuana. As part of the drug conspiracy, Nelson allowed multi-pound quantities of marijuana to be brought to his garage and unloaded from a transporting vehicle. The defendant admitted that a minimum of five shipments, averaging in weight from approximately 500 pounds of marijuana per shipment with the exception of one shipment that weighed 3000 pounds, were received at his Zanesville garage. Once the marijuana was unloaded, other associates would arrive at the garage and picked it up for further distribution. In return for the use of his garage, Nelson admitted to receiving cash payments and marijuana from his associate.
The investigations were conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Department, and the Huntington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon handled the prosecutions.
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