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Four individuals charged in painkiller distribution operation

CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — A federal grand jury returned a 17-count superseding indictment charging a New Jersey man and three West Virginia residents in a prescription painkiller distribution operation.

An investigation revealed that Matthew L. Cordero, 31, of Vineland, New Jersey, Jonathan Paul Calain, 34, of Elkins, Stevie Lea Sharp, 27, of Coalton and Gregory Stephen Scott, 34, of Beverly, engaged in a scheme to procure oxycodone from sources in Detroit, New Jersey and Florida for redistribution in the Northern District of West Virginia.

Each of the defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and face up to 20 years in prison along with a fine of up to $1,000,000 on the conspiracy charge.

Calain is additionally charged with one count of maintaining a drug involved premises, six counts of distribution of oxycodone and one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the eight counts, while the drug involved premises charge carries a potential fine of up to $500,000. Each of the other seven counts carries a potential fine of up to $1,000,000.

Cordero is additionally charged with two counts of distribution of oxycodone and one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each of the three counts.

Sharp is additionally charged with six counts of distribution of oxycodone. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each count.

Scott is additionally charged with two counts of distribution of oxycodone. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each count.

The case is being investigated by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, the DEA, and the IRS.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.





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