Upshur County man admits to methamphetamine distribution

ELKINS, W.Va. – Thomas Arthur Cicalese, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine distribution, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Cicalese, 69, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.” Cicalese admitted to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in March 2019 in Upshur County.

Cicalese faces not less than ten years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. 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 Brandon Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Lakes Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

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