Man indicted on federal heroin, fentanyl charge

ELKINS, W.Va. – Jo-El Rene Torres, of Clarksburg, W.Va., is facing a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced Tuesday.

Torres, 36, was indicted on one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Torres is accused of 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.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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