Three Wheeling residents and a Columbus man admit to their roles in a drug distribution operation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Four people have admitted to drug distribution in the Wheeling area, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Kayla Lallathin, also known as “Cat,” of Wheeling, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Lallathin, age 29, admitted to conspiring with others to sell crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl from September 2018 to June 2019 in Ohio County. She also admitted to selling methamphetamine near Luau Manor in Ohio County in March 2019.

Duane Green, also known as “Rick,” of Columbus, Ohio, pled guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Green, age 34, admitted to selling methamphetamine near Luau Manor in Ohio County in April 2019.

Charles Cesar Ansley, Jr., also known as “Mike,” of Wheeling, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Ansley, age 40, admitted to selling methamphetamine near Luau Manor in Ohio County in March 2019.

Audie Fry, also known as “Ott,” of Wheeling, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Fry, age 63, admitted to selling methamphetamine near Luau Manor in Ohio County in April 2019.

Lallathin faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the conspiracy charge. Lallathin, Green, Cesar, and Fry each face at least one and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for the aiding and a abetting 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 Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.