HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — An Ohio drug dealer who assaulted a West Virginia State Police Trooper during a traffic stop earlier in the year is heading to federal prison.
According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, Robin Earl Slater, 51, of Langsville, Ohio, was sentenced to 35 years in prison Monday on for federal charges stemming from a large-scale marijuana distribution conspiracy.
Slater previously plead guilty in August to conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of a marijuana conspiracy, being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and obstruction of justice.
The release said Slater conspired to distribute between 3,000 and 10,000 kilograms of marijuana by supplying the drug to lower-level dealers in Putnam and Kanawha counties, as well as out of state. This sentence is the longest in recent memory in a marijuana conspiracy case in the Southern District of West Virginia.
The conspiracy was first discovered during a traffic stop on January 23, 2012, in a store parking lot in St. Albans.
According to the release, a trooper pulled over Slater after he committed several moving violations. During the stop, Slater bit the state trooper on the arm, inflicting a deep wound, and then pepper sprayed him, all in an attempt to flee. He was eventually restrained by police and arrested.
Upon searching Slater’s car, police found six firearms, nearly $25,000 cash, and drug ledgers which ultimately led to police cracking the distribution ring, the release said.
Slater had two prior felony drug convictions related to the distribution of marijuana.