Ohio Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Role In Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy And Firearms Charges
COLUMBUS, Ohio - William J. Pate, 45, of Columbus, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 15 years in prison for possessing cocaine and firearms in furtherance of distributing drugs.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Joseph P. Reagan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Detroit Field Division, and Colonel Paul A. Pride, Superintendent, Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory L. Frost.
According to court documents, investigators were informed in February 2015 that Pate was actively involved in trafficking large quantities of cocaine. Upon executing a search warrant, investigators discovered more than a kilogram of cocaine and 11 firearms at Pate’s residence in Columbus.
Pate pleaded guilty on September 11, 2015, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Counselor Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA and Ohio State Highway Patrol that resulted in this sentencing.
