Two individuals have admitted their involvement in a drug distribution operation that moved fentanyl from Chicago, Illinois, to Weirton, West Virginia.
Stephen Price, also known as “Sleepy,” age 40 and from Chicago, pleaded guilty to eight counts related to the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine. Paula Jean Truax, 44, of Weirton, entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. Court documents state that Price and Truax collaborated with others to sell large amounts of fentanyl in Hancock County, West Virginia, as well as other locations.
Price faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison for one charge. For each of the remaining counts, he could receive up to 20 years. Truax could be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay is handling the prosecution for the government.
The investigation involved several agencies: the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force (a HIDTA-funded initiative), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Brooke County Sheriff’s Office, Weirton Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Jefferson County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office, Steubenville (Ohio) Police Department, and Wheeling Police Department.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided over the case.
