Maryland man admits to role in drug trafficking conspiracy

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Karim Irvin Brooks, of Hagerstown, Maryland, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Brooks, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.” Brooks admitted to working with others to sell heroin in February 2020 in Berkeley County.

Brooks 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 Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

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