Zachary Jerico

It appears as if Zachary Jerico will be sentenced in court on Nov. 16, 10 a.m., for count two of his three-count drug indictment-conspiracy to deliver oxycodone, a schedule II controlled narcotic substance. On Aug. 16, Jerico, 25, of 29. 1 Locust St., New Martinsville, pleaded guilty to this offense. The recommended jail sentence for such an offense is one to 10 years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men.

A sentencing hearing was previously held, on Sept. 21, in Wetzel County Circuit Court concerning the matter.

An investigator at the West Virginia State Police gave testimony as a witness at this hearing. He stated that while conducting a controlled buy in New Martinsville, which occurred after Jerico received his current indictment, he witnessed Jerico at a high drug activity area making contact with several others who have involvement with drugs. The investigator stated that there were multiple customers in the area, with one sale being made.

The investigator stated that based on his observations and training, he could assume that Jerico has had recent involvement with drugs.

On Monday, Attorney Frederick Gardner stated that he had watched the video of the sell at the Wetzel County Prosecutor’s Office. Gardner said it appeared as if his client was present at the buy as only a bystander. “He wasn’t a party,” Gardner stated, “. . . just there in a high traffic drug area.”

Judge Karl was given a copy of the DVD to view and set a return date for Nov. 16, 10 a.m.