WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Kyuten J. Smith, of Columbus, Ohio, has admitted to his role in a cocaine and heroin distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Smith, also known as “Mitch," pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base." Kyuten, age 28, admitted to distributing cocaine base in Ohio County in September 2018.
Smith is facing no less than five and up to 40 years 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 Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by the Ohio County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department. Those assisting in the arrests are the United States Marshal Service; Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Martins Ferry, Ohio Police Department; and the Columbus, Ohio Police Department.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
