Three Sentenced For Painkiller Distribution

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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three Clarksburg area men, including a former Harrison County Process Server, were sentenced for collaborating to distribute oxycodone, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.

Former Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Process Server Jason Marple, 36, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 21 months for distributing oxycodone near the Clarksburg City Park – North View playground and an additional 60 months because he was in possession of a firearm at the time. These sentences will run consecutively for a total of 81 months in prison. He pled guilty in June 2014 to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 1000’ of a Protected Location – Aiding and Abetting,” and one count of “Possession/Use/Carrying of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.”

Russell Powers, 50, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He pled guilty in June 2014 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone – Aiding and Abetting.”

Chad Alton Register, 32, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. He pled guilty in July 2014 to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone – Aiding and Abetting.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.