FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 24, 2011
OHIO MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON FEDERAL MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Brad Wheeler, 32, of Ironton, Ohio, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers for distribution of 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Wheeler admitted that from about 2007 until September 2009, he conspired with known individuals to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The defendant further admitted that he received pound quantities of marijuana from his source of supply located in Ohio. It was part of the conspiracy that the defendant would sell the marijuana and also fronted the marijuana to individuals and expected repayment after it was sold. On September 22, 2009, law enforcement officers utilized a confidential informant to make a controlled delivery of $4700 in prerecorded buy money to the defendant. The defendant admitted that he accepted the $4700 as payment for marijuana. The defendant also admitted that on September 24, 2009, he accepted $1100 from an informant as payment resulting from a prior marijuana delivery. On September 25, 2009, officers executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence where they recovered $93,035 in marijuana proceeds, 5.4 kilograms of marijuana, and numerous firearms. Wheeler further admitted that from 2007-2009, he obtained approximately 4000 pounds of marijuana for distribution.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Huntington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon handled the prosecution.
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