WHEELING, W. Va. — The son of the state Senate President been arrested on a nine-count indictment involving oxycodone trafficking.
Jacob Kessler, 25, of Glen Dale, allegedly sold oxycodone throughout 2013.
An investigation by the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force revealed he was discovered selling painkillers near West Virginia Northern Community College and , at least once, traveled between Bellaire, Ohio and Wheeling to distribute oxycodone.
Kessler is charged with:
-One count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering. For this charge, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
-Four counts of use of a telephone facility to facilitate the distribution of oxycodone. On this charge, he faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 per count,
-Three counts of distribution of oxycodone. On this charge he faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 per count.
-One count of distribution of oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a protected location, which could result in up to forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Bernard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Senate President Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall) addressed his son’s arrest in a statement Wednesday.
“When I was notified of this terrible news, I was heartbroken and disappointed, but I love my son,” he wrote.
“Today, the public was made aware that just because I am Senate President, I am no different than any other West Virginian that is dealing with a family member’s addiction.”
With the rise in prescription painkiller abuse, he felt many parents in the state would relate to his pain.
“Like anyone else who is dealing with substance abuse, my son needs help, as he too has suffered from addiction. Unfortunately, I also know that this arrest may be the chance he needs to turn his life around.”
Kessler asked for no special treatment for his son, only the chance to deal with the situation as a family.
“What I need to be today is Jacob’s father and make sure he gets the help he needs,” he wrote. “I ask that my son be treated no better or worse than any other defendant, and that you respect the privacy of my family during this difficult time.”