Simms

MOUNDSVILLE — A former mayor has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he distributed the narcotic oxycodone, also known as Percocet, in Marshall County.

Kevin Mark Simms, 63, of Moundsville, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Wheeling to one count of distribution of oxycodone. Simms admitted to selling the drug in Marshall County in October 2017. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, although the actual sentence can vary depending on prior criminal history.

In October, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said Simms had been indicted on charges by a federal grand jury. The charges included one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, one count of distribution of oxycodone and three counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of oxycodone. According to the complaint, Simms was accused of distributing oxycodone from July 2017 to December 2017.

Simms was first elected to Moundsville City Council in 1990 and served as mayor from 1998-2000. He served 16 years on council before being defeated in his bid for re-election in 2016.

In October 2015, Simms was arrested on a DUI causing injury charge stemming from a near head-on collision with another vehicle on W.Va. 86.

At the time of the crash, Simms told deputies he was taking oxycodone for dental work.

Simms was uninjured, but the driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized with serious back, arm and leg injuries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams Jr. is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. presided.