Ihlenfeld: Fentanyl, Cocaine Growing Problems for the Ohio Valley
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- Federal indictments in four separate cases announced this week show the sale, distribution and use of fentanyl and cocaine is prevalent in the Ohio Valley, according to Willliam Ihlenfeld, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Ihlenfeld on Wednesday convened a press conference outside the Federal Building in downtown Wheeling to discuss the indictments.
What all four had in common were drug trafficking, firearms, and cooperation among local law enforcement, he said.
In addition, the cases call into focus local landlords who are turning a blind eye to suspected drug trafficking that could be happening on their properties, according to Ihlenfeld.
– The first case was investigated between March 2021 and February 9, 2022 on Poplar Avenue in Woodsdale and involved Solomon Watters, 36, of Cleveland and Chelsea Banks, 26, of Wheeling.
The pair was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a mixture of substances to create a cocaine base known as "crack" and 1.2 kilograms or more of fentanyl, and a separate second charge of possession with intent to distribute crack.
Watters faces two additional charges of unlawful possession of firearms. Officers seized a Walthier pistol, a Beretta pistol, and a Glock pistol during the investigation.
Also forfeited in the case were $208,860 in cash found during a search warrant on Feb. 9 at Guardian Storage in Washington, Pennsylvania. There was $3,556 cash taken from Watters on Feb. 8, and a 2012 Audi A7.
The street value of the 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl -- at a conservative $100 a gram -- comes to at least $120,000, and could be at least twice that amount, according to information provided by Ihlenfeld's office.
"This was a case involving enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman and child in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia," Ihlenfeld said. "It involved enough cash to buy a nice home here in Wheeling, West Virginia.
"And, of course, it involved firearms. It is rare when we don't see firearms in drug investigations now."
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and the Pennsylvania State Police worked hand in hand to identify large-scale fentanyl traffickers operating in Wheeling and neighboring areas, disrupt their operations and seize fentanyl and weapons that were on the street, Ihlenfeld explained.
"Fentanyl continues to be the greatest threat we face in the Northern Panhandle because it is so deadly, and because it is so easy to manufacture it is plentiful," Ihlenfeld said. "You can also see the amount of cash it generates."
But that is not to say cocaine isn't still a problem locally, he continued.
– Indicted this week was Christopher Louis Park, 50, of Wheeling, on charges of intent to distribute cocaine, and charges to distribute a cocaine base. On May 26, agents seized over 2 kilograms of powder cocaine and several ounces of crack cocaine during an investgation into Park. Much of it was sent to him from Phoenix, Arizona, Ihlenfeld said.
Agents also recovered $4,800 cash and a loaded handgun from Park.
"Christopher Park had significant amounts of cocaine being shipped directly to him in West Virginia from the southwest border," Ihlenfeld explained. "This was a direct pipeline from a place we all know is a problem and fuels the drug problem in the United States."
Because of "great police work," agents were able to seize the packages en route containing large amounts of cocaine before he received it, he continued. A search warrant was next conducted at Park's home, where large amounts of cocaine, cash and firearms were found.
"Cocaine is also a problem -- it's not just fentanyl," Ihlenfeld said. "From this investigation, and others that are going on, I can tell you there are large amounts of cocaine coming into the Ohio Valley.
"There are more recreational cocaine users than you might believe. It surprises me that we continue to have these quantities coming here."
Ihlenfeld also has a message for the users of cocaine.
"One, you shouldn't be using cocaine in the first place," he said. "Two, if you are, this isn't the same cocaine we are used to seeing. Often times it is cut with fentanyl, and it can be lethal."
– David Lee McCracken, 38, of Moundsville, was indicted for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The arrest took place Feb. 22 at The Highlands, and investigators also recovered $3,200 in cash.
"Methamphetamine is on the list of one of the greatest drug threats we face here in Ohio County," Ihlenfeld said.
– Michael Shawndale Davis, 38, no hometown listed, was indicted on one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. On June 25, surveillance footage showed he allegedly fired eight shots at a rival drug dealer outside of the Formosa Apartments on Eoff Street in Wheeling.
Davis has several prior felony convictions, including one for drug trafficking, according to information provided by Ihlenfeld.
No one was hit or injured by the shots fired, but the Formosa Apartments are a location where drug activity and violence often is reported to drug enforcement, he said.
"Yesterday, I sent a letter to the owner of the Formosa Apartment Building," Ihlenfeld said. "We're letting that person know that we are aware of the violent and criminal activity happening there, and that the federal government is going to do everything in its power to stop that activity from occurring there."
The federal government has power to seize properties where violent and criminal activity take place, according to Ihlenfeld.
He encourages the public to contact law enforcement or inform his office of properties where suspected drug-related activity might be happening.
Community crime watch meetings take place on a regular basis in Wheeling communities, and that is often where Ihlenfeld and law enforcement become aware of problem properties and problem landlords from citizens.
"That makes a difference," Ihlenfeld said. "I would encourage the public to give us Ring video footage or pictures. There are actually things we can do about that."