CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Gerri Raye Parker, 30, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
In October 2014, Parker pleaded guilty to using a communications device to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. She admitted that on Oct. 24, 2013, she received a call from a known heroin dealer warning her that police were conducting a roundup and arresting members of the dealer’s organization. The dealer told Parker to remove drugs and other evidence he had hidden in her apartment.
Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force personnel were conducting surveillance of Parker’s apartment when they observed her carry a bag to the rear of the building. Upon recovering the bag, police found approximately 100 grams of heroin, 62 grams of cocaine, scales and packaging material.
This case was part of a larger investigation that has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several individuals involved in heroin trafficking between Marion, Ohio, and Parkersburg. Those prosecuted include Marion Felder, sentenced to 84 months for distribution of heroin; Keith Irons, 18 months for distribution of heroin; Cordaro Robert Johnson, 44 months for distribution of heroin; Zina Wakefield, three years’ probation for aiding and abetting heroin distribution; and Daquarri Tamara Coats, eight months’ time served and three years’ probation for distribution of heroin.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.
This case was investigated by the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Hanks was in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
