Ohio County man admits to drug distribution and firearms possession charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man has admitted to cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Dorian Devon Banks, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.” Banks admitted to possessing cocaine and  a 9mm caliber pistol during a drug crime in May 2017 in Ohio County.

Banks faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the first count and up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count. 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Wheeling Police Department investigated. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.