Fayette County woman receives 60-year fentanyl sentence, 1-15 for methamphetamine distribution

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FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County woman was sentenced on Thursday for felony offenses involving the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

According to Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, on June 8, 2023, Samantha J. Cody, age 35 and formerly of Glen Jean, West Virginia, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing in relation to felony offenses of conspiracy to deliver fentanyl and over 50 grams of methamphetamine as well as delivery of methamphetamine.

Cody was sentenced by Judge Ewing sentenced serve 60 years in prison for the conspiracy conviction and 1 to 15 years in prison for the delivery of methamphetamine conviction. The sentences was ordered by Judge Ewing to be served concurrently. Cody must serve at least 15 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

Judge Ewing in the rendering of this decision noted that Cody had been a member of and participant in a significant drug trafficking organization which enabled out of state drug dealers to expand their network into the Fayette County, West Virginia area.

Judge Ewing addressed the substantial harm brought to the community and citizens of Fayette County brought about by this organization’s drug dealing.

Cody was one of the primary distributors of drugs for Heather Hewitt, who was recently sentenced to up 90 years in prison for her role as the leader of the drug trafficking organization. Another significant member of the drug trafficking organization, Jarod Hendrick was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison.

The Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force began an investigation into a significant drug trafficking organization that was operating primarily in Fayette County In June of 2021. Through this investigation it was determined that Heather Hewitt was the leader of the trafficking organization and that she had been assisted in her drug distribution activities by others, which included Cody and Hendrick.

In August of 2021, through utilization of a confidential informant, the Task Force began conducting purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the drug trafficking organization in question. Cody had been personally engaged in the distribution of substantial amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl during the period of August of 2021 through February of 2022.

At the time of her arrest on February 19, 2022, Cody was found to be in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. At the time members of the drug trafficking organization were arrested, law enforcement seized over one pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, approximately three ounces of cocaine, and just over $250,000.00 in U.S. Currency from the Hewitt drug trafficking organization.

Ledgers discovered at the residence of Hewitt and Hendrick documented the distribution of more than 14 pounds of controlled substances and documented that Cody had been involved in the distribution of over 1 pound of controlled substances as well.

”The hard work of the officers of the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force put an end to a significant drug trafficking organization that had been operating in Fayette County,” says Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County.

These crimes were investigated by the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the case was prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney, Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney R. Wes Toney.

Original Article: https://www.lootpress.com/fayette-county-woman-receives-60-year-fentanyl-sentence-1-15-for-methamphetamine-distribution/