Detroit Man Convicted of Oxycodone Distribution

WHEELING, WV—A Michigan man has been convicted of distributing painkillers in Northern West Virginia.

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that Malcolm Tyler, age 36, of Detroit, entered a plea of guilty before Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone in the Wheeling area from late 2011 to spring of 2012. Tyler admitted to being a source of supply of painkillers for a Wheeling-area drug dealer, who then redistributed the pills locally.

Tyler is in custody pending sentencing and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. As a result of this conviction, Tyler violated his state parole and will face prison time in Michigan once he has completed his federal sentence.

The Tyler case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers and agents from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, West Virginia State Police-BCI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld also announced that five individuals were sentenced and one other entered a guilty plea. The following individuals were sentenced by Chief Judge John Preston Bailey:

James Greathouse, age 23, of Wheeling, was sentenced to 85 months in prison and three years of supervised release as a result of his conviction for felon in possession of a firearm. Greathouse was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending designation to a federal institution. The case prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Montrell L. Black, also known as “Slim,” age 20, of Wheeling, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm. Black was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending designation to a federal institution.

Daniel R. Robertson, age 28, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for the distribution of oxymorphone. Robertson was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending designation to a federal institution.

The Black and Robertson cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the Moundsville Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Christian E. Iverson, age 26, of New Martinsville, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for felon in possession of a firearm. Iverson, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated federal institution on January 8, 2014. This case was investigated by the New Martinsville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Michael Runyon, age 33, of Bridgeport, Ohio, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and five years of supervised release for failure to update sex offender registration. Runyon, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated federal institution on January 8, 2014. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

The Iverson and Runyon cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri.

Cody G. Robertson, age 29, of Hundred, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty before Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert to possession of child pornography. Robertson, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison and lifetime supervision. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Robertson will be sentenced once a pre-sentence investigation report has been completed.