Two Wheeling men sentenced for cocaine trafficking

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jackie Byrd, 25, and Marisol Rodriguez, 34, both of Wheeling, were sentenced today for cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

An investigation by the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, revealed that Byrd and Rodriguez sold crack cocaine in the Northern District of West Virginia throughout 2014. Additionally, Byrd stabbed a confidential informant in July 2014.

Byrd and Rodriguez each pled guilty in November 2014 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent and to Distribute Cocaine Base.” Byrd further pled guilty to one count of “Retaliation Against a Cooperating Witness.” Byrd was sentenced today to 46 months in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 46 months in prison. Rodriguez was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

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