Ohio Man Sentenced for Role in Akron to Huntington Meth Conspiracy

HUNTINGTON W.Va. – An Ohio man involved in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron and sold in West Virginia last year was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Marquis Allen Pritchett, 22, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“We are working with law enforcement partners in Ohio and elsewhere to shut down drug trafficking organizations responsible for bringing large quantities of deadly drugs into West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The success of this investigation is attributable to our collaborative efforts.”

Pritchett admitted that between June and August of 2019, he participated with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia.  During the conspiracy, Pritchett obtained large quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to be sold in multiple cities in West Virginia including Hurricane and Charleston.  Pritchett admitted that he supplied methamphetamine to other West Virginia based meth dealers on a recurring basis and that he was aware the methamphetamine he sold would be re-distributed in West Virginia.  As part of his plea agreement, Pritchett admitted that he was responsible for distributing up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.    

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Ona Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.