Two Wheeling residents indicted for making and distributing methamphetamine

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Randy Lee Donahue, Jr., and Lauren Hedges, both of Wheeling, West Virginia, were indicted by a federal grand today on drug charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Donahue, age 37, and Hedges, age 26, were both indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises.” Donahue was also indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” and one count of “Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number.”

Donahue and Hedges are accused of manufacturing, storing and distributing methamphetamine from an apartment located at 97 16th Street in Wheeling, within 1,000 feet of Wheeling Central Catholic High School in November 2018. Donahue, a convicted felon, is also accused of possessing a 9mm pistol and two .22 caliber revolvers with an obliterated serial numbers. 

Donahue and Hedges each face up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,00,000 for the conspiracy count, not less than one and up to 40 years incarceration for the protected location count, and up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000 for the premises count. Donahue also faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unlawful possession charge and faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the obliterated serial number charge. 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 defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; and the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.