Columbus man and Wheeling woman admit to roles in drug trafficking operation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Milik I. Stanley, of Columbus, Ohio, and Susan Manuel, of Wheeling, West Virginia, have admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Stanley, also known as “Taco,” age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Stanley admitted to selling methamphetamine near Madison Elementary School on Wheeling Island in January 2020.

Manuel, age 58, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Manuel admitted to working with another to distribute meth near Madison Elementary School on Wheeling Island in January 2020.

Stanley faces at least one and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Manuel faces at least five and up to 80 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. 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. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Clayton J. Reid are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The U.S. Marshal Service, Columbus Police Department Gang Crimes Unit, the Martins Ferry Police Department, and the Bellaire Police Department also assisted.

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