Ohio County man admits to cocaine charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin J. Pugh, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Pugh, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Pugh is accused of selling cocaine near Bloch Playground in October 2017 in Ohio County. 

Pugh faces up 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are investigating. The United States Marshals Service made the arrest.
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.