Fifteen Charged In Conspiracy To Distribute Painkillers

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Ohio Valley Drug Task Force investigation leads to 83 count indictment

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Law enforcement officials announced the indictment of fifteen Ohio Valley residents alleged to be involved in the distribution of tens of thousands of prescription painkillers, along with cocaine and other drugs.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, Sheriff Pat Butler of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and Chief Shawn Schwertfeger of the Wheeling Police Department released the details of the investigation on Monday, including the charges and potential penalties that each defendant now faces as a result of the eighty-three count indictment that was unsealed this morning.

According to Ihlenfeld, the lead defendant is Brian SCHULTZ, also known as “Worm.” SCHULTZ, 37 years old of Triadelphia, is charged with “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”, “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”, “Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”, “Possession with Intent to Distribute Buprenorphine”, and “Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise.”

SCHULTZ is alleged to be the leader of a group that received oxycodone and other prescription drugs from suppliers in northern Ohio and Detroit, Michigan and then redistributed them in the Ohio Valley. Sophisticated surveillance techniques were used during the investigation which culminated in three search warrants being executed in January of 2014 at homes connected to the drug trafficking operation. Large amounts of prescription pills and U.S. currency were seized during the January searches. Over the course of the sixteen month investigation thousands of pills have been recovered by agents via controlled purchases and court-authorized searches.

SCHULTZ faces up to twenty years in prison if convicted.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking to forfeit residential real estate owned by SCHULTZ in Triadelphia, West Virginia, a 2007 GMC Yukon Denali XL owned by SCHULTZ, and approximately $70,000 in cash seized from SCHULTZ and others during the searches that occurred last month. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also seeking a money judgment against SCHULTZ and others in the amount of at least $450,000 for proceeds derived from the illegal distribution of controlled substances.
“Legal drugs that are illegally obtained can be deadly, and unfortunately many West Virginians have died as a result of prescription drug abuse,” said Ihlenfeld. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do everything it can to stop this epidemic, including continuing to aggressively enforce federal drug trafficking laws.”
Ihlenfeld praised the outstanding investigative work of the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, BCI, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Ihlenfeld also thanked all of the agencies that assisted in the apprehension of the defendants this morning and afternoon, and noted that the investigation is ongoing.
This prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr.
Each defendant faces a possible term of imprisonment, and under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Updates on the status of this case will be made by media releases as well as via the official Twitter feed of the United States Attorney’s Office, @NDWVnews.

In addition to SCHULTZ, the following individuals were also indicted:
Katherine HUNGERMAN, also known as “Kat” or “Bubs”, age 44, of Shadyside, Ohio (10 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances” and “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”). HUNGERMAN faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Dustin NAMACK, also known as “Dusty”, age 36, of Adena, Ohio (23 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances” and “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”, and multiple counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a protected location”). Dustin NAMACK faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Derick NAMACK, age 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia (4 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances” and “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”). Derick NAMACK faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Jill WEST, also known as Jill Namack, age 31, of Wheeling, West Virginia (4 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances” and “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”). WEST faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Steven L. NAMACK, age 64, of Wheeling, West Virginia (20 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”, “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”, and multiple counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location”). Steven NAMACK faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Christopher HOWARD, also known as “FATBOY” or “FATTY”, age 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia (30 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”, “Conspiracy to Engage in Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering”, “Distribution of Cocaine” and multiple counts of “Fraudulently Obtaining a Controlled Substance”). HOWARD faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Buddy Robert SALEM, JR., also known as “B.J.”, age 32, of Wheeling, West Virginia (5 counts, including “Distribution of Oxycodone” and “Aiding & Abetting the Distribution of Oxycodone”). SALEM faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Kristyn Elizabeth FETCKO, age 33, of Wheeling, West Virginia (5 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”, “Maintaining a
Drug-Involved Premise”, and multiple counts of “Aiding & Abetting in the Distribution of Oxycodone”). FETCKO faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Michael COPPA, age 48, of Wheeling, West Virginia (4 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”). COPPA faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Cara OLAKO, also known as Cara Green, age 36, of Wheeling, West Virginia (5 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances” and “Aiding & Abetting the Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location”). OLAKO faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Richard A. HERCULES, JR., age 49, of McMechen, West Virginia (3 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”). HERCULES faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Lucas N. HIGH, age 36, of Wheeling, West Virginia (2 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”). HIGH faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Adam W. BARNES, age 39, of Wheeling, West Virginia (3 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”). BARNES faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Jordan SORGE, age 22, of Wheeling, West Virginia (2 counts, including “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II & III Controlled Substances”). SORGE faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.