Project Parkersburg Update: Two Men Plead Guilty to Methamphetamine Conspiracy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Project Parkersburg defendants pled guilty to federal methamphetamine charges,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Todd Land, 41,  of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Marshall Polan, 31, of Parkersburg, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

“As a result of Project Parkersburg, we seized 121 pounds of  ICE methamphetamine and significant amounts of a smorgasbord of other drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’ve shuttered this drug trafficking organization and we’re holding drug dealers like Land and Polan accountable.”   

Land admitted that he facilitated a transaction between Parkersburg methamphetamine dealers and an individual in Phoenix, Arizona to transport a large drug shipment from Arizona to Dayton, Ohio where the drugs were to be divided for distribution in Dayton and in Parkersburg.    When the shipment was delayed, Land traveled to Dayton where he mediated a dispute between the transporter and the methamphetamine dealers.  On September 19, 2018, police intercepted the shipment during a traffic stop of the transporter, Troy Pastorino.  The shipment contained 121 pounds of pure methamphetamine and approximately 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) of cocaine.

Polan admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy whose role was to sell methamphetamine to users in the Parkersburg area. 

Land faces 10 years to life in prison and Polan faces up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on December 4, 2019.  Pastorino pled guilty in February 2019 and also faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 23, 2020.

Land and Polan were prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Police Department, the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is handling the prosecution.

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