A man from Chicago has been convicted for leading a drug distribution operation that brought fentanyl and cocaine from Illinois to the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Gerald Henry, 41, also known as “Unc,” was found guilty on two counts related to distributing these drugs. Testimony during the trial showed that Henry transported significant amounts of fentanyl and cocaine into Hancock County for sale. Authorities seized over 400 grams of fentanyl during a search at his residence in Weirton.
Henry could face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for each charge. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Several others involved in the operation have already pleaded guilty, including Jasmine MCullough, Stephen Price, Daniel Pail Truax, Paula Jean Truax, and William Dean Tredway.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton Reid and Carly Nogay. The investigation involved multiple agencies: the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force (a HIDTA-funded initiative), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, several local sheriff’s offices and police departments across West Virginia and Ohio.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the case.
