The son of the state Senate
President been arrested on a nine-count indictment involving oxycodone
trafficking.
Jacob Kessler, 25, of Glen Dale,
allegedly sold oxycodone throughout 2013.
An investigation by the Ohio Valley
Drug and Violent Crime Task Force revealed he was discovered selling
painkillers near West Virginia Northern Community College and , at least once,
traveled between Bellaire, Ohio and Wheeling to distribute oxycodone.
Kessler is charged with:
-One count of interstate travel in
aid of racketeering. For this charge, he faces up to five years in prison and a
fine of up to $250,000.
-Four counts of use of a telephone
facility to facilitate the distribution of oxycodone. On this charge, he faces
up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 per count,
-Three counts of distribution of
oxycodone. On this charge he faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of
up to $1,000,000 per count.
-One count of distribution of
oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a protected location, which could result in up
to forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy
Bernard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Senate President Jeff Kessler
(D-Marshall) addressed his son’s arrest in a statement Wednesday.
