MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Three individuals were convicted in federal court today for their role in a multi-state heroin trafficking operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
The defendants convicted today conspired with an extensive group of individuals to participate in drug trafficking scheme in which heroin was transported across state lines from Baltimore, Maryland into locations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The operation was disrupted in June 2015 by a 163-count federal indictment encompassing 41 defendants.
Jeffrey David Murphy, 34, of Martinsburg, pled guilty today to:
• One count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin" for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000,
• One count of “Aiding and Abetting Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering" for which he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, and
• One count of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin" for which he faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Veronica Thomas, 24, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin." She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Cameron Stinebaugh, 28, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, pled guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering." He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
