Eastern Panhandle residents admit to drug and firearm charges

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg man and a Kearneysville woman have admitted to federal charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Lante Jerrel Cook, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.” Cook admitted to possessing crack cocaine in October 2017 in Berkeley County. 

Tiffany Rosalind Cole, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Stolen Firearm.” Cole admitted to having a stolen .9mm caliber pistol in October 2017 in Berkeley County.

Cook faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Cole faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacoo, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.