Wetzel County man admits to operating a drug house

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – David M. Metz, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, has admitted to maintaining a house to sell drugs, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Metz, age 44, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Maintaining of a Drug-Involved Premises.” Metz admitted to having a house on Veteran’s Highway in New Martinsville for the purpose of distributing and using methamphetamine from July 2018 to June 2019.

Metz faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000. 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 Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

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