Two Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking Near West Virginia Schools and Playground

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, two men have entered guilty pleas for charges related to the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in proximity to protected locations in Wheeling, West Virginia. These pleas underscore a continuing effort to combat drug trafficking in communities and highlight the serious legal consequences for those involved in such activities. The cases are part of a broader federal initiative aimed at eradicating drug cartels and protecting public safety.

Jason Hill, a 42-year-old resident of Cleveland, Ohio, has admitted to distributing heroin and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a protected location. Court documents indicate that Hill, also known by the alias “Tay,” was engaged in drug sales near Wheeling Central Catholic High School and West Virginia Northern Community College. He faces a potential prison sentence ranging from one to 40 years. In a separate proceeding, Matthew Luff, 41, of Wheeling, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location. His plea agreement details that Luff sold over 13 grams of methamphetamine near the Heritage Port Playground in Wheeling. Luff is also facing a sentence of 5 to 40 years in prison.

The determination of final sentences for both individuals will be made by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other applicable legal factors. These prosecutions were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid on behalf of the government. The investigations leading to these pleas were conducted through a collaborative effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Wheeling Police Department. Fentanyl has been identified by national authorities as a substance of extreme lethality, posing a significant threat to public safety even in minute quantities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has emphasized that these cases are connected to Operation Take Back America, a nationwide program designed to dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat violent crime, and address illegal immigration. U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided over the proceedings.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia.

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