Two sentenced for drug trafficking

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two individuals were sentenced for drug trafficking today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Sharod D. Nickelson, 44, of Detroit, Michigan, conspired with other individuals to possess and sell oxycodone throughout the Ohio Valley. Following an investigation by the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, Nickelson pled guilty in January 2016 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone.” He was sentenced today to 87 months in prison.

Donald William Butler, 57, of Saint Marys, West Virginia, was among six individuals charged in a federal indictment when authorities disrupted a Pleasants County methamphetamine manufacturing operation in June 2015. Specifically, Butler was discovered in possession of materials commonly utilized to manufacture methamphetamine. Following an investigation by the West Virginia State Police and the Pleasants Count Sheriff’s Department, Butler pled guilty in October 2015 to one count of “Possession of Material Used in the Manufacturing of Methamphetamine – Aiding and Abetting.” He was sentenced today to 46 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McWilliams prosecuted Nickelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted Butler on behalf of the government.

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