Ohio Men Indicted For Drug Trafficking In Harrison County

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MARTINSBURG, WV – Two Chillicothe, Ohio, men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for conspiring to sell drugs in Harrison County earlier this month, and for using firearms in furtherance of the alleged drug distribution.

According to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, Dillon James BARILLARO, age 20, and Nicholas Stephen GARDNER, age 21, were charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin on November 4, 2013. Both men are alleged to have sold the drugs on that date to an informant near the Bridgeport Hampton Inn. Following the controlled purchase, a search of the room where the men were staying was conducted by officers from the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force. Additional quantities of cocaine and heroin were found during the search, along with two firearms, ammunition, and $1,768 in United States Currency.

Both BARILLARO and GARDNER face charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs, the distribution of drugs, the possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, and maintaining a drug involved premise. BARILLARO faces one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking, and GARDNER is charged with possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.

Both men face up to 20 years in prison on the drug charges. BARILLARO faces a minimum of 7 years in prison on the brandishing charge, consecutive to any other sentence he may receive. GARDNER faces a minimum of 5 years in prison on the gun possession charge, consecutive to any other sentence he may receive.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn A. Morgan and was investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, consisting of officers and agents from the Clarksburg Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Investigative support for the task force is provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Both men are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty.