Two Clarksburg men sentenced for their roles in a drug distribution operation
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Clarksburg men were sentenced today for their roles in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Ernest Russell Claypool, Jr., age 54, was sentenced to 70 months incarceration. Claypool pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime” and one count of “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises-Aiding and Abetting” in March 2018. Claypool admitted to having 20 different firearms, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, and revolvers, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He also admitted to maintaining a property in Clarksburg for distributing heroin and storing and distributing marijuana. The crimes occurred from an unknown date until September 2017 in Harrison County.
Chadley Russell Claypool, age 32, was sentenced to 24 months incarceration. Claypool pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin” and one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl” in March 2018. He admitted to distributing heroin in Harrison County from an unknown date to September 2017. He also admitted to selling fentanyl in August 2017 in Harrison County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.