Columbus men admit to roles in cocaine and heroin distribution operation
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have admitted to their roles in a cocaine and heroin distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Michael L. Forrest, Jr., also known as “Flip,” of Columbus, Ohio, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” Forrest, age 28, admitted to selling cocaine near the Pulaski Playground in Ohio County in August 2018.
Brandon Suel, of Columbus, Ohio, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” Suel, age 31, admitted to selling cocaine near Jensen Playground on Wheeling Island in May 2018.
Forrest and Suel are each facing no less than one 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 cases 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. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.