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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 17, 2011
COLUMBUS MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Ian McFarlane, 55, of Columbus, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for the distribution of 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. McFarlane pleaded guilty in September 2010. The defendant admitted that from 2007 until May 19, 2010, he conspired with other individuals to transport truckloads of marijuana for a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) based in Arizona and Mexico. It was part of the conspiracy that the marijuana would be delivered by the defendant to an individual based in Ohio, who continued the distribution scheme into other areas including Huntington and various parts of the Southern District of West Virginia.
On May 19, 2010, officers with the Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven at the time by the defendant. A search of the vehicle revealed a false wall where officers located approximately 800 pounds of marijuana. McFarlane admitted that he was transporting the marijuana for distribution to individuals in Columbus for the DTO. McFarlane also admitted that he transported marijuana for the DTO to other major cities across the United States including Chicago, Detroit, and Las Vegas. In total, McFarlane transported approximately 12,600 pounds of marijuana for the DTO.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon handled the prosecution.
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