CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Kanawha County woman pled guilty to a federal drug charge. Shanika Collins, 41, of Charleston, pled guilty to one count of distribution of marijuana. Collins is the second defendant to be convicted based on an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Earlier this year, Collins’ former boyfriend, James Michael Hill, pled guilty to multiple federal charges, and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
“Collins was dealing marijuana on behalf of her boyfriend," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “And now she’s convicted of a federal crime. Remember, those that do the crime together, do the time together. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. This office prosecutes all federal crimes, including those involving marijuana."
Collins admitted that on May 7, 2018, she sold a half of a pound of mid-grade marijuana to a confidential informant in exchange for $600. On May 10, 2018, MDENT detectives applied for multiple search warrants involving various locations pursuant to the investigation. Collins consented to letting detectives search her apartment. MDENT detectives were able to seize over 15 pounds of mid-grade to high-grade marijuana from Collins’ apartment. Collins acknowledged that she was dating Hill, and that she was storing and delivering the marijuana on his behalf.
Collins faces up to 5 years in prison when she is sentenced on November 7, 2019.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
