PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Five people received their sentence this week for distributing fentanyl across the Eastern Panhandle.
Christopher Arthur Jones, 39, also known as “Smooth,” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 300 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for racketeering enterprise (RICO) conspiracy and fentanyl distribution charges. Jones was the leader of the drug distribution organization that was based in Philadelphia.
Jones would direct members of the enterprise to sell drugs, launder money, and commit fraud in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Jones had drug houses in various sites including one in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Michael Nicholas Calder, also known as “Ice,” 37, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 85 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl and cocaine. According to statements made in court, fentanyl pills, cocaine, and eutylone were found in Calder’s vehicle during a traffic stop.
Noah Izreel Neverdon, 21, of Parkville, Maryland, was sentenced to 70 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Court documents show that Neverdon sold fentanyl as a part of a drug operation that spanned from Baltimore to West Virginia.
Dylan Moyers, 24, of Romney, West Virginia, was sentenced to 41 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for his role in a drug conspiracy, selling heroin and fentanyl in Hampshire and Mineral Counties. According to court documents, Moyers’ home was used as a hub for selling heroin and fentanyl.
Russell Guy Fitzgerald, 61, also known as “Rusty,” of Rawlings, Maryland, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl. Court documents say Fitzgerald was selling fentanyl from his Maryland home and from a home in Mineral County, West Virginia. Fentanyl capsules, methamphetamine, cocaine, and 20 firearms were seized all together from both locations.
Multiple different agencies were involved in the investigations including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force; the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force; and the West Virginia Air National Guard.
Metronews Staff Contributed to this article.