Two Convicted For Selling Cocaine Near Local School

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
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WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Samuel J. Pete, 28, of Youngstown, Ohio, and Patrick A. Groves, 24, of Wheeling, West Virginia, were convicted in federal court today for distributing crack cocaine near a local elementary school, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

An investigation by the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force revealed that Pete and Groves sold crack cocaine in July 2014 near Ritchie Elementary School in Wheeling. Both task forces are HIDTA-funded initiatives.

The defendants each pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base Near a Protected Location.” They each face up to forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.00. 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 defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McWilliams is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.