Columbus man sentenced for role in cocaine and heroin distribution operation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kyuten J. Smith, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced today to 110 months incarceration for his role in a cocaine and heroin distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Smith, also known as “Mitch,” pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in July 2019. Kyuten, age 29, admitted to distributing cocaine base in Ohio County in September 2018.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by the Ohio County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department. Those assisting in the arrests are the United States Marshal Service; Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Martins Ferry, Ohio Police Department; and the Columbus, Ohio Police Department.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.