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WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Brian Schultz, the leader of a prescription painkiller and cocaine distribution ring, was convicted today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led a sixteen month investigation leveraging sophisticated surveillance techniques to uncover a painkiller and cocaine distribution network led by Schultz, also known as “Worm." He procured large quantities of prescription pills from groups in Detroit, Michigan and Northern Ohio. Schultz then orchestrated a series of associates to redistribute the pills in Northern West Virginia and Belmont County, Ohio.
Schultz, 38, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, admitted his role in distributing oxycodone, cocaine, and buprenorphine. He pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II and Schedule III Controlled Substances."
Schultz faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00. 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. Schultz has two prior federal felony convictions. Schultz will also forfeit approximately $70,000.00 in cash and will be ordered to pay a money judgment of $30,000.00.
Fourteen others were convicted as part of the Schultz case, including Katherine Hungerman, Dustin Namack, Derick Namack, Steven Namack, Jill West, also known as Jill Namack, Christopher Howard, Buddy Salem, Kristyn Fetcko, Michael Coppa, Cara Olako, Richard Hercules, Jr., Lucas N. High, Adam Barnes, and Jordan Sorge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parr is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
