CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Amy Rake, 39, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Rake was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Ohio Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.

“As a result of operations like Project Parkersburg, we have doubled the number of meth prosecutions by my office,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re taking down meth trafficking organizations and prosecuting meth dealers like Rake throughout the District.”

Rake pled guilty in February and admitted that she was a street level distributor who received methamphetamine in multiple ounce quantities from her co-defendant Michael Rhodes which she then distributed to smaller dealers and users in and around Parkersburg.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Project Parkersburg defendants pled guilty to federal methamphetamine charges,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Todd Land, 41,  of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Marshall Polan, 31, of Parkersburg, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

“As a result of Project Parkersburg, we seized 121 pounds of  ICE methamphetamine and significant amounts of a smorgasbord of other drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’ve shuttered this drug trafficking organization and we’re holding drug dealers like Land and Polan accountable.”   

Land admitted that he facilitated a transaction between Parkersburg methamphetamine dealers and an individual in Phoenix, Arizona to transport a large drug shipment from Arizona to Dayton, Ohio where the drugs were to be divided for distribution in Dayton and in Parkersburg.    When the shipment was delayed, Land traveled to Dayton where he mediated a dispute between the transporter and the methamphetamine dealers.  On September 19, 2018, police intercepted the shipment during a traffic stop of the transporter, Troy Pastorino.  The shipment contained 121 pounds of pure methamphetamine and approximately 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) of cocaine.

Polan admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy whose role was to sell methamphetamine to users in the Parkersburg area. 

Land faces 10 years to life in prison and Polan faces up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on December 4, 2019.  Pastorino pled guilty in February 2019 and also faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 23, 2020.

Land and Polan were prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Police Department, the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is handling the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Parkersburg residents arrested as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin – appeared in federal court today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jeffrey Hoyler, 56, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, while Nicholas Ryan Easton, 29, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Ohio Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 150 pounds of  methamphetamine and, what was originally believed to be 4 pounds of heroin, have been determined to be comprised of nearly 291 grams of fentanyl.  If the fentanyl in this case had made it to the streets of the Parkersburg region, nearly 150,000 West Virginians could have died.

“Enough fentanyl to kill nearly 150,000 people,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “While we originally believed that we seized four pounds of heroin as part of this operation, testing has recently shown that a significant portion of the seizure was comprised of nearly 291 grams of fentanyl.  This is both scary and satisfying.  Scary because so many West Virginians could have lost their lives and satisfying because law enforcement was able to stop this fentanyl and shut down a major drug organization.”

Stuart continued, “This is the largest meth bust in West Virginia history – and Ohio history for that matter where the meth was physically seized. Thanks to the tremendous work of federal, state and local law enforcement in Project Parkersburg, hundreds of pounds of meth, heroin and enough fentanyl to kill more than the combined populations of Parkersburg, Huntington and Charleston were seized before hitting the streets and a large, multi-state drug organization was shut down.”

Hoyler admitted to transporting cash to Phoenix, Arizona at the direction of co-defendant Terrence McGuirk and pooling the money with co-defendants Aurelius Edmonds and Antoine Terry in order to purchase approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine which was intercepted by the FBI in Dayton, Ohio on September 19, 2018.  Hoyler faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 17, 2019. 

Easton previously pled guilty in December 2018 where he admitted selling between 50 and 200 grams of methamphetamine.

Hoyler, and Easton were charged with 15 other defendants in a two-count federal indictment in October 2018.  Theodore “T.J.” Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Troy Pastorino, and Colleen Moyle have pled guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

 

 

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart  

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Arizona man who was arrested as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin -- pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Troy Pastorino, 39, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Ohio Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 150 pounds of  methamphetamine and 4 pounds of heroin.

“The people of Parkersburg deserve a city free of drug thugs and dealers. Pastorino is the first federal Project Parkersburg defendant to plead guilty,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “More than two dozen individuals were arrested on federal and state charges in October 2018 during the major takedown, dubbed “Project Parkersburg,” which dismantled a significant, multi-state DTO with connections to sources of supply in Mexico.  There is no doubt lives have been saved as a result of our efforts.”

In September 2018, during a long-term investigation of a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in Parkersburg, the FBI learned that a large shipment of methamphetamine was being shipped from the Phoenix, Arizona area to Parkersburg where it was to be sold in and around Wood County.  On September 19, 2018, FBI and drug task force agents intercepted the shipment in Dayton, Ohio during a traffic stop of a Dodge Charger driven by  Pastorino.  Upon searching the trunk of the vehicle, agents seized approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine.  During his plea hearing, Pastorino admitted that his role was to facilitate shipping the methamphetamine from Arizona.

Pastorino was charged with 16 other defendants in a two-count federal indictment in October 2018.  He faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 12, 2019.  

Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart 

 

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“PROJECT PARKERSBURG” ROLLED OUT THROUGH TAKEDOWN

 

Over 150 Pounds of Methamphetamine and 4 Pounds of Heroin

 More than Two Dozen Arrested on Federal and State Charges

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced the formation of “PROJECT PARKERSBURG” and a major takedown today of drug traffickers resulting in the dismantling of a multi-state Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin in Parkersburg, West Virginia.  As of the commencement of operations this morning, the investigation included the seizure of more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 pounds heroin.  Joining United States Attorney Stuart in the announcement were Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Boshears of the Pittsburgh Field Office, Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Pat Lefebure, West Virginia State Police Captain Jason Davis, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens, Vienna Police Chief  Mike Pifer, representatives of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force (PNTF) and Major Allen Tackett of the West Virginia National Guard.   The West Virginia State Police, the Arizona State Police, and the FBI Field Offices in Tampa, Cincinnati, Detroit and Phoenix provided valuable assistance in this investigation.  The FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the Dayton RA, Cincinnati Field Office is deserving of special recognition for their involvement in the seizure of the methamphetamine and arrests of the primary targets of the investigation.

 

"The vast majority of the methamphetamine and heroin in this country came across our Southern Border," Attorney General Sessions said. "Thanks to collaboration between law enforcement in Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia, our prosecutors and law officers were able to dismantle a drug trafficking organization that brought methamphetamine 2,000 miles from the border to the small towns of Appalachia. As part of this operation, law enforcement has arrested some 30 defendants and seized 150 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin and tens of thousands of dollars in alleged ill-gotten gains. And so I want to thank U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, the FBI's Tampa, Pittsburgh and Dayton offices, the West Virginia and Arizona state police, and all of the members of the Parkersburg Police and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force. By taking drug traffickers off of our streets, they are helping to keep the American people safe."

 

Today’s operation is the first public announcement of “PROJECT PARKERSBURG”, a project that has been ongoing but unannounced as a result of today’s dismantling of a drug trafficking organization.  The takedown today was the result of a long-term investigation led by FBI and PNTF and involved the cooperation of law enforcement authorities in several states.  A total of at least 29 individuals have been charged in federal and state court and final determinations of jurisdiction for charging will be made as a result of a review of today’s arrests. 

 

In December 2017 members of the PNTF executed a search warrant at a residence in Parkersburg during which they learned that large amounts of methamphetamine were being shipped to West Virginia from Mexico.  Witness interviews, financial records, and informant information led to the identification of Parkersburg residents Terrance McGuirk, Antoine Terry, and Aurelius Edmonds as individuals with access to the methamphetamine being shipped from the southern border to locations in West Virginia and Ohio.  Over the course of nine months, agents and task force officers conducted an exhaustive investigation linking the Parkersburg DTO to sources in Arizona.  On September 19, 2018, surveillance led investigators to Dayton, Ohio where Terry and Edmonds met with Arizona residents Todd Land and Troy Pastorino to pick up a large shipment of controlled substances to include more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine that had been offloaded from a truck into a rented storage unit.  Investigators observed Pastorino load the drugs into the trunk of a Dodge Charger.  Police seized the drugs after conducting a traffic stop of Pastorino.  Terry, Edmonds, and Land were arrested at a nearby business, and McGuirk was arrested at his hotel near the Dayton airport.   

 

While this investigation is ongoing, investigators have been able to dismantle a DTO operating across multiple states and responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.  It is believed that the dismantling of this DTO removed all of the Parkersburg area individuals with access to the Arizona source and will significantly curtail the amount of methamphetamine available for distribution in Wood County and the surrounding area.

 

The arrests and seizures relating to this investigation break down, as of the issuance of this press release, as follows:

 

17 individuals have been charged in a federal indictment in the Southern District of West Virginia with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;

1 defendant has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm;

12 individuals are facing state charges filed by the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney;

Over 150 pounds of methamphetamine were seized;

Over 4 pounds of Heroin were seized;

Over $84,000 in United States Currency was seized; and

Several vehicles were seized that were used to transport controlled substances.

 

“Largest seizure of methamphetamine in our state’s history and a massive amount of heroin - Today is a significant day for West Virginia, the City of Parkersburg, Wood County and the surrounding multi-state area,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “A significant drug trafficking organization with connections to sources of supply in Mexico has been dismantled.  Today is a day in which every participating law enforcement officer should be very proud.  The level of cooperation between our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is unprecedented and reaches beyond West Virginia’s borders and beyond America’s borders.  As a result, the largest seizure of methamphetamine in our state’s history and a massive amount of heroin was seized before it reached our streets.  No doubt lives have been saved because of the exemplary work of law enforcement at every level, the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office and my team. Today’s actions as part of “PROJECT PARKERSBURG” are merely the first step in a long-term, sustained, aggressive effort to rid our streets of the drug dealers and drug thugs that cause chaos, havoc and despair in our communities and in our families.”

 

"Through collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we were able to target and dismantle this criminal organization," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "Drug-related crimes strangle communities. The FBI will always work to stop the violence, get drugs and weapons off the streets and justice for the people living in the communities we serve."

 

“The arrests made today are the culmination of many months of hard work by the PNTF and federal authorities and will have a significant impact in not only Wood County but our surrounding areas as well,” said Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Pat Lefebure.

 

“This investigation is an example of outstanding teamwork and collaboration of all law enforcement in this region of West Virginia that resulted in the largest seizure of methamphetamine and heroin,” said Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin.  “I am very proud of the outcome of this investigation, as it is the largest seizure of both methamphetamine and heroin in the same criminal investigation in the Parkersburg area. Our mission is to identify and target these drug trafficking organizations that are polluting our city with poison. Once identified, we will do whatever is necessary to dismantle these organizations and partner with the U.S. Attorney to prosecute the members of these organizations. The long hours worked by the investigators involved proved to be successful and worthwhile. I am very pleased with the relationship between our federal law enforcement partners and the assistance from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Mike Stuart.  These investigators from the FBI and the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force prevented hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and heroin from getting to the streets of our community, and for this, I am very grateful.”

 

Please Note:  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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