CHARLESTON, W.VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - West Virginia, Southern), published as received.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Michael Rhodes, 41, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Rhodes was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a poly-drug, multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO).  

“Project Parkersburg was a huge success,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “As a result of this lengthy investigation, a major DTO responsible for distributing significant amounts of methamphetamine in and around Parkersburg was shut down. At least 29 individuals were charged in federal and state court and 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin and 478 grams of fentanyl were seized.”

Rhodes previously pled guilty and admitted to distributing methamphetamine in and around Parkersburg.  At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Irene C. Berger noted that Rhodes had traveled from Parkersburg to Arizona and California in 2018 and that records showed calls and money transfers from Parkersburg to Sinaloa, Mexico.  The Court also found that Rhodes received methamphetamine in one and two pound quantities at a time from co-defendant Terrance McGuirk.  The Court further noted that Rhodes’ intercepted communications revealed that he owed $80,000 to his supplier and that he was distributing user and low-level dealer quantities of methamphetamine to people in Parkersburg. 

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. Of the defendants charged in federal court, Terrence McGuirk, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, Troy Pastorino, Michael Holley, Colleen Moyle, Amanda Atkinson, and Michael Rhodes have been sentenced. Aurelius Edmonds awaits 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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