1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

 

 

September 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Belliare, Ohio Resident Enters Plea of Guilty to
“Crack” Cocaine Distribution Charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA — A 48 year old Bellaire, Ohio, resident entered a plea of guilty on August 31, 2009, in United States District Court in Wheeling before Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that WILLIAM WILEY entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with the distribution of “crack” cocaine on March 17, 2009, within 1,000 feet of the Woodsdale Elementary School in Wheeling, West Virginia. As part of his plea, WILEY admitted his involvement with between 20 and 35 grams of “crack” cocaine. This involved a five-month long investigation into “crack” cocaine distribution in the North Wheeling, Wheeling Island, and Woodsdale areas of West Virginia. The distribution involved out-of-state groups with ties to Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan, who often utilized locals to assist in the distribution. WILEY was one of the locals.

WILEY, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of one to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000.

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.