A Wheeling man who pleaded guilty to felony drug charges was sentenced to no fewer than three years and up to 45 years in prison, Ohio County Prosecutor Shawn Turak said Monday.

Matthew Robert Pockl, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael Olejasz sentenced Pockl.

According to Turak, the Ohio County Drug Task Force began an investigation into Pockl in response to numerous complaints made to the Wheeling Police Department. The investigation led to Pockl’s arrest on April 17, 2025, after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his resident. During the search, local task force officers and DEA agents found Pockl attempting to conceal or destroy what was later confirmed to be narcotics.

A thorough search of the residence yielded a large amount of drug paraphernalia, as well as fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine later confirmed by laboratory testing at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Crime Lab.

Pockl has one prior felony convction from March 3, 2023, for delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance: methamphetamine. He was sentenced to serve not less than one year and no more than 15 years for that conviction.

“Obviously, Pockl completed his sentence from his first felony drug conviction and went straight back to dealing drugs again,” Turak said. “This is unacceptable, and the court’s sentence, for which we are grateful, reflects that.”

Turak credited the convictions to the work of the WPD and Drug Task Force and their response to community complaints.

“They are relentless,” she said. “I applaud their perseverance and join in the sentiment that this is exactly what needs to continue to protect the community from the poison these dealers are selling. These dealers are killing our citizens and feeding a habit which leads to addicts committing crimes to feed addiction.”