FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 27, 2011
COLUMBUS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION CHARGE
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – William D. Prince, 40, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to distribution of 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. On August 1, 2011, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that was driven by the defendant at the time. During the traffic stop, officers asked the defendant for consent to search the vehicle. Prince subsequently gave verbal and written consent for officers to search the vehicle. A law enforcement search of the defendant’s vehicle revealed approximately 61.5 grams of crack cocaine and 200 5-milligram oxycodone pills located between the passenger side air bag and the center air vents of the vehicle. Prince admitted that the crack cocaine and the pills belonged to him and an associate. The defendant further admitted that he intended to sell the crack and pills in Pulaski, Virginia.
Prince faces up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine when he is sentenced on December 21, 2011.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Assistant United States Attorney Monica Dillon is in charge of the prosecution.
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