Ohio man admits to cocaine charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Tajuan Smith., of Canal Winchester, Ohio, has admitted to distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Smith, also known as “Poe,” age 20, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Smith admitted to selling cocaine near Jensen Playground in Wheeling in June 2018. 

Smith faces at least one and up to 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 Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.