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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A federal grand jury returned a 17-count supersceding indictment charging a New Jersey man and three West Virginia residents in a prescription painkiller distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.
An investigation revealed that Matthew L. Cordero, 31, of Vineland, New Jersey, Jonathan Paul Calain, 34, of Elkins, West Virginia, Stevie Lea Sharp, 27, of Coalton, West Virginia, and Gregory Stephen Scott, 34, of Beverly, West Virginia engaged in a scheme to procure oxycodone from sources in Detroit, New Jersey, and Florida for redistribution in the Northern District of West Virginia. Each of the defendants is charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone." They each face up to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on the conspiracy charge.
Calain is additionally charged with one count of “Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises," six counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone," and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone." He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the eight counts. The drug involved premises charge carries a potential fine of up to $500,000.00. Each of the other seven counts carries a potential fine of up to $1,000,000.00.
Cordero is additionally charged with two counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone" and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone." He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each of the three counts. Sharp is additionally charged with six counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone." He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count. Scott is additionally charged with two counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone." He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case is being investigated by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 defendants.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
