Eastern panhandle man admits to role in “boot” distribution operation

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — An Eastern panhandle man admitted to a role in a “boot” distribution operation Monday in Federal Court in Martinsburg.

22-year-old Corbin Charles Linthicum, of Kearneysville pleaded guilty Monday to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Eutylone.” Linthicum admitted to working with others to distribute large quantities of Eutylone, also known as “boot,” from Maryland to Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia from February 2019 to March 15, 2022.

Linthicum faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; ATF; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department; the Virginia State Police, Montgomery County; and Maryland State Attorney’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.