Washington, DC Resident Enters Plea Of Guilty In Federal Court

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 38 year old Washington, DC, resident entered a plea of guilty on February 27, 2013, in United States District Court before Judge Gina M. Groh.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that: BRIAN CLIFTON JACKSON, who was in the second day of a jury trial for “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Hydrochloride” entered a plea of guilty to “Use of a Communication Facility in Furtherance of a Drug Transaction.” JACKSON is charged with using the public telephone system on May 12, 2011, to facilitate the distribution of heroin in Berkeley County, West Virginia. JACKSON, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 8 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. JACKSON’s penalties are enhanced due to his prior convictions in 1991 and 1994 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jarod Douglas and Stephen Warner and was investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.