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Press Release

Hampshire County man admits to role in drug trafficking operation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Michael Bourne, of Shanks, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Bourne, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin. Fentanyl, and Cocaine Base.” Bourne admitted to working with another individual to distribute the controlled substances from January 2020 through October 2020.

Bourne faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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 Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office worked closely with the Hampshire County Prosecutor’s Office to bring this case forward. In addition, the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crime task Force, a HIDTA funded initiative, investigated. The task force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff's Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office, the Hardy County Sheriff's Office, the Keyser Police Department, and the Grant County Sheriff's Office

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

Updated July 15, 2021

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Opioids