Charleston Woman Sentenced For Her Role In Pill Ring

Defendant allowed her residences to be used for drug trafficking

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Alexus Motley, 21, of Charleston, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston  to six months imprisonment for her participation in an illegal pill distribution ring.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston.  Motley had previously plead guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, Opana, and Xanax - dangerous and addictive prescription drugs.  

In March of 2012, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”) began investigating drug dealers who travelled from New York to West Virginia to distribute prescription pain pills.  In April of 2012, MDENT searched an apartment at 818 ½ West Avenue in Charleston, rented in Motley’s name.  Officers found a gun, $3,740 in cash, 520 Xanax pills, 93 oxycodone pills, marijuana and documents belonging to Santiago Zacharie and Walter Parris.  Motley had turned over occupancy of the apartment to Zacharie and Parris, who she knew were transporting oxycodone, Opana, Xanax, and other controlled substances from New York to the Charleston area for distribution. Motley also knew that Zacharie and Parris were using the West Avenue apartment as a “stash” house to store their pills.   Zacharie and Parris have both been convicted for their roles in the distribution ring and sentenced to 27 months and 37 months, respectively. 

In June of 2012, MDENT was conducting surveillance of Motley’s residence on Park Drive in Charleston.  Officers had information that Ajamu Osborne, a fugitive, was inside the residence.  Officers observed Osborne leave the residence and ride away on a bicycle.  Officers arrested Osborne and recovered a bag containing 98 oxycodone 30 mg pills.  A search of Motley’s Park Drive residence uncovered an additional 60 oxycodone 30 mg pills, a quantity of “Molly” (MDMA), a street drug akin to “Ecstasy,” 10 Opana pills, and approximately $15,000 in cash.  Obsorne has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2014.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.