CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Terrence D. Marsh, of Detroit, Michigan, was found guilty of drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
After a four-day trial, a jury deliberated for 35 minutes before finding Marsh, age 37, guilty of one count of “Conspiracy to Possess With the Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances," one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location," and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime."
“Great perseverance by our trial team and law enforcement partners led to this conviction. We will continue to prosecute these cases aggressively. The type of criminal conduct exhibited by the defendant will never be tolerated," said Powell.
Marsh conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in Marion County and elsewhere from the fall of 2018 to January 2019. Some of the drug dealing took place near West Fairmont Middle School, and included the presence of firearms.
The government is seeking the forfeiture of $18,540 in cash, two pistols, a rifle, and several rounds of ammunition.
Marsh faces not less than 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10 million for the conspiracy and aiding and possession of methamphetamine count. He faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2 million for each of the heroin and fentanyl counts, and faces five years to life incarceration and a $250,000 fine for the firearms count. 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Traci M. Cook and Brandon S. Flower are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
