Martinsburg man admits to drug charge

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jarod Arthur Blakney, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Blakney, also known as “Papi,” age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base.” Blakney admitted to selling cocaine base in Berkeley County in June of 2017.

Blakney faces up to 20 years 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 Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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