Glen Dale, WV Man Charged With Oxycodone Trafficking

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs Specialist

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jacob Kessler, 25, of Glen Dale, West Virginia, was arrested today after a federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment charging him with oxycodone trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced today.

An investigation by the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, revealed that Kessler repeatedly sold oxycodone throughout 2013. In February 2013, he was discovered selling painkillers near West Virginia Northern Community College. At least once, Kessler traveled between Bellaire, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia to distribute oxycodone.

Kessler is charged with:

• One count of “Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
• Four counts of “Use of a Telephone Facility to Facilitate the Distribution of Oxycodone.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 on each count.
• Three counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone.” He faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count.
• One count of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” He faces up to forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00.

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 Randy Bernard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.