Two sentenced for roles in oxycodone distribution operation

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two people were sentenced today for their roles in a drug distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Michael Wesley, also known as “Black” and “Big Flea,” was sentenced today to 151 months incarceration. Wesley, age 48, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone” in October 2019. Wesley admitted to selling oxycodone in January 2017 in Monongalia County.

Tiffany Edwards, of Westover, West Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months and one day incarceration. Edwards, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Money Laundering Conspiracy” in October 2019. Edwards admitted to handling financial transactions that involved money made from the distribution of oxycodone from the summer of 2013 to June 2017 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation. The Task Force consists of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, Morgantown Police Department, the Star City Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia University Police Department, the Granville Police Department, and the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.