Two Ohio Residents Convicted For Drug Trafficking In Harrison County

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Six Others Appear for Pleas and Sentencing

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Chillicothe, Ohio, men entered pleas of guilty before Judge Irene M. Keeley for conspiring to sell drugs in Harrison County 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, entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin” and “Brandishing a Firearm in Connection with a Drug Trafficking Crime.” Nicholas Stephen GARDNER, age 21, entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin” and “Possession of a Firearm in Connection with a Drug Trafficking Crime.” As part of their plea agreements, BARILLARO and GARDNER will forfeit Iphones, two firearms, ammunition, and $1,768 in United States Currency seized on November 4, 2013. Both men face up to 20 years in prison on the drug charges and BARILLARO faces a minimum of 7 years in prison on the brandishing charge, consecutive to any other sentence he may receive while GARDNER faces a minimum of 5 years in prison on the gun possession charge, consecutive to any other sentence he may receive.

The following individuals also appeared before Judge Keeley:

LYNN SPAW, age 44, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and six years of supervised release for “Distribution of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of the Pierpont Community and Technical College.” SPAW’s co-defendant, JOSEPH GRANT, age 68, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was sentenced to 2 years probation for “Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise.” The Court also ordered the forfeiture of 4 cell phones and $1,968 seized in this investigation.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn A. Morgan and 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.

AARON SEIDEL, age 29, of Eurora, Illinois, was sentenced to 51 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for “Traveling in Interstate commerce for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” SEIDEL was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and investigated by the West Virginia State Police.

The following individuals appeared before Judge John S. Kaull:

ERIC SNEED, age 25, of Morgantown, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of the Star City Playground.” SNEED, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

JACE ROWAN, age 31, of Fairmont, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of Child Pornography.” ROWAN, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

JAMES GRAY, age 42, an inmate at USP Hazelton, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of a Prohibited Object” when staff found a cell phone hidden in GRAY’s locker. GRAY was sentenced to 3 months in prison to run consecutive with his current 180-month sentence. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the Special Investigative Services Staff at USP Hazelton.