Leader of painkiller distribution network sentenced to more than 8 years in prison

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Brian Schultz, 38, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for coordinating and operating a Detroit, Michigan to Wheeling, West Virginia prescription painkiller and cocaine distribution ring, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, discovered that Schultz procured large quantities of prescription pills from groups in Detroit, Michigan and Northern Ohio. He then orchestrated an extensive network of associates to redistribute the pills throughout the Ohio Valley.

Schultz admitted his role in distributing oxycodone, cocaine, and buprenorphine in November 2014 when he pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II and Schedule III Controlled Substances.” He was also ordered today to forfeit approximately $70,000.00 in U.S. currency and to pay a money judgment of $30,000.00.

Additionally, Buddy Robert Salem, Jr., 33, of Wheeling, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison. Salem routinely sold oxycodone pills provided by Schultz. Salem was discovered in possession of oxycodone in January 2014. He pled guilty in June 2014 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parr prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.