HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Three defendants were sentenced for federal drug crimes today by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
“Three more drug dealers are on their way to federal prison for peddling their poisons in and around Huntington," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We continue our work with federal, state and local law enforcement to bust up drug dealers and to put drug thugs on notice -- if we find you, we will prosecute you to the maximum extent of the law."
Quashane Varner, 22, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Varner previously admitted that on March 9, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department searched his rental vehicle. Officers found two bags of methamphetamine in the center console. In total, officers found 47 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale. The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.
Krystal Ewing, 31, of Huntington, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Ewing previously admitted that between December 2018 and May 2019 she conspired with other individuals to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Huntington, West Virginia. Ewing admitted that she would travel to Detroit, Michigan to obtain heroin for George Lockhart for him to sell in Huntington. Ewing is the first defendant sentenced that was prosecuted as part of Operation Free Market, a long-term drug investigation in the Huntington area. The investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.
Kenneth Alexander, 33, of Huntington, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin. Alexander previously admitted that on Aug. 1, 2018, he and another individual sold heroin to a confidential informant in the 1100 block of 9th Avenue in Huntington, West Virginia. The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecutions.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
