Man admits to having heroin and fentanyl in Upshur County

ELKINS, W.Va. – Jo-El Rene Torres, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Torres, 36, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Torres admitted to having heroin and fentanyl in May 2020 in Upshur County.

Torres faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Lakes Drug Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, and the Buckhannon Police Department investigated. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

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