Belmont County, Ohio man admits to fentanyl charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Nathan Parker, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, has admitted to a fentanyl distribution charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Parker, age 39, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” Parker admitted to selling fentanyl near Madison Elementary School in July 2019 in Ohio County.

Parker faces at least one year and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000.  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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.