Eastern Panhandle Man Admits to Having Cocaine, Firearm

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A Kearneysville, West Virginia man has admitted to possessing large quantities of controlled substances for distribution and a firearm in relation to that crime, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Bradley Allen Wilt, 44, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. According to court documents and statements made in court, a traffic stop of Wilt's vehicle led to the seizure of 63.51 grams of cocaine, 169.54 grams of cocaine base, 282 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 12 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Officers also seized a .45 caliber handgun from the car. Wilt pled guilty to possessing the firearm in relation to his drug crime.

Wilt faces at least five and up to 40 years in prison for the drug charge and faces at least 5 years and up to life for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.