Jury Finds Gerald Henry Guilty of Major Fentanyl and Cocaine Distribution, Faces Decades Behind Bars After Multi-State Investigation.
The curtain has fallen on a major drug distribution operation spanning from the Windy City to the Mountain State. Gerald Henry, 41, of Chicago, Illinois, also known by his street moniker “Unc,” was found guilty of multiple federal drug charges last week, cementing his role as the ringleader of an organization that flooded Hancock County, West Virginia, with lethal doses of fentanyl and cocaine.
Henry was convicted of two counts involving the distribution of the dangerous narcotics after testimony established he was responsible for transporting large quantities of the drugs for sale in Weirton. The crackdown culminated in the seizure of more than 400 grams of fentanyl—a potent, often deadly synthetic opioid—from a search of Henry’s Weirton residence.
“Unc” now faces a grim future. The convictions carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of up to life in federal prison for each charge. His final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Henry wasn’t the only one involved in the inter-state narcotics network. Several co-conspirators have already entered guilty pleas for their roles in the drug operation, illustrating the breadth of the illicit enterprise.
Those who admitted guilt include:
- Jasmine McCullough, 41, of Chicago, Illinois.
- Stephen Price, 40, of Chicago, Illinois.
- Daniel Pail Truax, 47, of Weirton, West Virginia.
- Paula Jean Truax, 44, of Weirton, West Virginia.
- William Dean Tredway, 35, of Colliers, West Virginia.
A United Front Against Drugs
The successful prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton Reid and Carly Nogay, underscores a robust, multi-agency effort to combat the drug crisis. The investigation was a collaborative initiative involving more than a dozen local, state, and federal agencies.
Key participating agencies included the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the United States Marshals Service, among many others. The conviction marks a significant victory for law enforcement in disrupting a major supply line of lethal drugs into West Virginia communities.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
