On March 31, 2026, Matthew Robert Pockl, 34, of Wheeling, WV, was convicted of the felony crimes of “Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl,” “Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine” and “Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine.”
In response to numerous complaints made to the Wheeling Police Department concerning drug activity associated with Matthew Pockl at his 19 Springhaven Road residence in Wheeling, WV, the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force began an investigation which led to Pockl’s arrest on April 17, 2025 after law enforcement executed a search warrant for Pockl’s residence.
During the execution of the search warrant of the residence, local Task Force Officers and DEA agents found Pockl attempting to conceal or destroy what was later confirmed to be narcotics. A thorough search of the residence yielded a large amount of drug paraphernalia, as well as fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine later confirmed by laboratory testing at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Crimė Lab.
Following an Indictment returned by the September 2025 Ohio County Grand Jury, Pockl entered a guilty plea to three felony drug charges. First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Olejasz sentenced Pockl to not less than 3 years nor more than 45 years in prison.
Pockl has one prior felony conviction for “Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine” from March 3, 2023. He was sentenced to serve not less than 1 year nor more than 15 years in prison for that conviction.
Shawn Turak, Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney stated, “Obviously, Pockl completed his sentence from his first felony drug conviction and went straight back to dealing drugs again. This is unacceptable, and the Court’s sentence- for which we are grateful- reflects that.”
Additionally, Turak credits these convictions to the tireless work of City of Wheeling Police Department and the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and their response to the community’s complaints.
“They are relentless. I applaud their perseverance and join in the sentiment that this is exactly what needs to continue to protect the community from the poison these dealers are selling. These dealers are killing our citizens and feeding a habit which leads to addicts committing crimes to feed addiction.”
