CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that two men pled guilty today to federal drug charges. 

“If the fentanyl in these cases had hit the streets, over 25,000 people could have died.  Enough fentanyl to kill over half the city of Charleston,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are producing significant results in Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). It’s simple -- if you deal fentanyl, I will do everything in my power to lock you up as long as possible..”

Todd Stephens, 33, from Detroit, Michigan, entered his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely fentanyl.  The investigation was conducted by MDENT.  Stephens admitted that on August 28, 2017, he sold what he thought was heroin to a woman.  Based on that sale, MDENT detectives were able to get a search warrant for the Charleston apartment.  During the search of the residence, over 50 grams of fentanyl was seized along with other contraband.  Stephens faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2019. United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Hamner is handling the prosecution.

Peyton Young, 25, from South Point, Ohio, entered a guilty plea in United States District Court in Huntington to an indictment charging him with distribution of fentanyl.  Young admitted that on February 12, 2018, he met a confidential informant in the 400 block of West 10th Street in Huntington and gave the informant fentanyl in exchange for $80.  As part of his plea agreement, Young also admitted that he sold heroin to an informant in April 2018 in Huntington.   Young faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 8, 2019.  The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.   The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

 

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Charleston, W.Va. – A Michigan man was sentenced to federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Todd Stephens, 33, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl.  His prison sentence is to be followed by three years of supervised release. 

“Fentanyl is deadly,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “That’s why we have prosecuted every single fentanyl dealer brought to us by law enforcement.”

Stephens previously admitted that on August 28, 2017, he aided and abetted co-defendant Bree Eberbaugh in the distribution of heroin.  Eberbaugh was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison, followed by three years of  supervised release on July 1, 2019.  The two were arrested after law enforcement executed a search warrant on their residence.  Inside, officers found two handguns, over $3,000 in cash, and over 54 grams of fentanyl.    

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.   Assistant United States Attorneys John Frail and Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

 

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