Bethlehem Man Gets 15 Months for WV Heroin Run

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Another dealer pushing poison into the veins of West Virginia communities is off the streets. Keith Derwin Freeman, 43, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison today after admitting to distributing heroin in Berkeley County. The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh, also includes a $3,000 fine, a paltry sum considering the damage Freeman inflicted.

The case stems back to September 2015, when Freeman engaged in the sale of heroin within Berkeley County. While details of the specific transaction remain sealed, the impact of even a single deal can be devastating, fueling the opioid crisis that continues to grip the state. Freeman didn’t just sell a drug; he peddled addiction, despair, and potential death.

Freeman pled guilty in August 2016 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” The delay between the plea and sentencing is typical in the overburdened federal system, but it doesn’t diminish the seriousness of his crime. For years, Freeman avoided full accountability for his actions, a frustrating reality for law enforcement and the families impacted by drug abuse.

Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced the sentence, a small victory in a much larger war. “This prosecution demonstrates our continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and holding accountable those who profit from the misery of others,” she stated. But one conviction, one sentence, barely scratches the surface of the problem.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid argument based on evidence gathered by the West Virginia State Police. The troopers’ relentless work brought Freeman to justice, but the source of his supply, the larger organization likely funding his operation, remains a question. This case serves as a reminder that drug trafficking is rarely a solo act.

Freeman will now begin serving his 15-month sentence, a brief interruption to his life, while countless West Virginians continue to struggle with the consequences of heroin addiction. The Grimy Times will continue to track federal prosecutions and expose the individuals preying on vulnerable communities.

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