Samuel Rose, a resident of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced on Apr. 30 to 190 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to cocaine distribution charges. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Rose was identified as one of the leaders in a drug trafficking organization that operated across multiple states and involved at least 35 defendants. He distributed large amounts of cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl sourced from an appliance store and warehouse called “Top 3 Sources” in Hagerstown. According to authorities, drugs were hidden inside appliances for transport. The investigation led to the seizure of nearly 19 pounds of cocaine, more than two pounds of heroin, and almost one pound of crack cocaine with an estimated street value close to $471,000.
Rose committed these offenses while on supervised release from a prior drug conviction within the same judicial district. He became a fugitive following his indictment in 2021 and was later featured on “America’s Most Wanted.” Rose was apprehended in 2024; he also faces pending drug charges in Pennsylvania.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations—and included cooperation among several federal and local agencies such as the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; state police departments; local law enforcement agencies; and multiple U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia serves 32 counties through offices located in Wheeling, Clarksburg, Elkins, and Martinsburg according to its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes—including cases like this one—manages civil litigation for the government, promotes community safety through outreach programs such as Project Safe Neighborhoods with law enforcement partners according to its official website, and operates as part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over Rose’s sentencing hearing.
