Four sentenced for distribution of heroin, cocaine

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Four individuals were sentenced in federal court today for distribution of heroin and cocaine charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Michaelo Merone, 30, of Westover, West Virginia, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Merone was discovered in possession of heroin in October 2015 in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Bertha Horton, 56, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced to 36 months in prison from one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Horton sold cocaine in May 2014 near East Fairmont Junior High School in Marion County, West Virginia.

Darrin Lawrence Broadnax, 49, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for one count of “Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Broadnax sold heroin in January 2015 near an elementary school in Monongalia County, West Virginia after transporting the heroin from Michigan.

Raimonte Gaston, 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 months in prison from one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Gaston was discovered in possession of heroin in Harrison County, West Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the Merone, Horton, and the Broadnax cases and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins and Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the Gaston case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug Task Force investigated the Merone and Broadnax cases; the Three Rivers Drug Task Force investigated the Horton case; and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the Gaston case.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.