Columbus man admits to cocaine distribution charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason R. Smoot, of Columbus, Ohio, has admitted to selling cocaine near a playground, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Smoot, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Smoot admitted to selling cocaine near the Jensen Playground in Wheeling in June 2017. 

Smoot faces 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 Steven L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.