Wheeling man admits to drug charge

 WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Devon Alexander Bertram, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Bertram, also known as “VON,” 31, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Bertram admitted to selling cocaine base or “crack” near The Linsly School in March 2020 in Ohio County.

Bertram faces at least one and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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