CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Terrence McGuirk, 51, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
“Project Parkersburg was a game changer – it netted the largest meth bust in West Virginia history and resulted in more than a dozen defendants being prosecuted by my office,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “McGuirk, the latest of the defendants to be sentenced, is now headed to a federal prison for 25 years. McGuirk is being held accountable. And, keep in mind, there is no parole in the federal system. Big time law enforcement operation. Big time results.”
McGuirk admitted distributing large quantities of methamphetamine to dealers operating in Parkersburg between July 2018 and the date of his arrest. He was arrested on September 19, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio where he had traveled to pick up his share of a shipment containing more than 120 pounds of methamphetamine. In his plea agreement, McGuirk admitted pooling his money with other co-defendants to purchase methamphetamine from a source in Phoenix, Arizona. McGuirk distributed quantities ranging from several grams up to multiple pounds at a time to dealers in Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and as far away as Florida. Agents executed several search warrants, including one at McGuirk’s mother’s residence in Kissimmee, Florida, where they seized more than $65,000 cash, which he admitted was the proceeds of drug trafficking.
In imposing the sentence, the court found that McGuirk was a leader and organizer of the conspiracy and that he had attempted to obstruct justice by threatening witnesses, and filing or threatening to file frivolous bar complaints against the prosecutor as well as his own attorneys and attorneys representing co-defendants.
McGuirk was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court and the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin and 478 grams of fentanyl.
Of the defendants charged in federal court, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, Troy Pastorino, Michael Holley, and Amanda Atkinson have been sentenced. Aurelius Edmonds, Michael Rhodes and Antoine Terry await sentencing later this year. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Jeremy Wolfe are handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-00225.
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