Martinsburg man admits to cocaine charge

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Douglas F. Harris, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Harris, 44, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base.” Harris admitted to working with others to sell 28 grams or more of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” from February 2020 to June 2021 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

Harris faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. 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 Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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