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November 4, 20009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ohio Man Sentenced for Distributing
“Crack” Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of Riverview Towers

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA — A 33 year old Bellaire, Ohio, resident was sentenced today (November 4, 2009), in United States District Court in Wheeling by Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr.

Acting United States Attorney Betsy C. Jividen announced that: MICHAEL MASCIARELLI was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release. MASCIARELLI entered plea of guilty on September 3, 2009, to one count of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Riverview Towers in Wheeling on February 11, 2009. As part of his plea, MASCIARELLI admitted to distributing between 4 and 5 grams of crack cocaine.

This case involved a five month investigation into crack cocaine distribution in the North Wheeling, Wheeling Island, and Woodsdale areas of West Virginia. During the investigation, multiple confidential informants made controlled buys from individuals, including MASCIARELLI.

MASCIARELLI was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr. The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Task Force consists of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.