Martins Ferry Man Sentenced For Cocaine Trafficking

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Bridgeport, OH, sex offender convicted for failing to register

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Martins Ferry, Ohio man was sentenced to federal
prison for his role in the sale of large quantities of cocaine.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that SHERMAN L. GRIFFIN, age 36, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release for “Conspiracy to Distribute More than 500 Grams of Cocaine.” GRIFFIN was also ordered to forfeit $1,155 seized from him on December 19, 2012, which constitutes proceeds from the drug activity. GRIFFIN, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated Federal institution. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr and was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, which consists of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In a separate matter, MICHAEL RUNYON, age 33, of Bridgeport, Ohio, appeared and entered a plea of guilty to “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” RUNYON admitted that between January, 2013 and May, 2013, he failed to register as a sex offender as required due to his federal conviction in 2006 for “Transportation of a Minor Across State Lines for Sexual Purposes.” RUNYON faces up to 10 years in prison. The RUNYON case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri and was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.