Paula Blake, Fentanyl Distribution, Ohio 2020

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Table of Contents

Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 18 Months Behind Bars

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – In a devastating blow to the local drug trade, 45-year-old Paula Blake of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 18 months of incarceration for her role in distributing deadly fentanyl.

Blake, a key player in the region’s illicit drug market, admitted to working with others to distribute cocaine base or ‘crack,’ heroin, and fentanyl from September 2018 to June 2019 in Ohio County and elsewhere. Her crimes took a deadly toll on the community, leaving countless lives shattered by addiction and loss.

Blake’s guilty plea, entered in February 2020, was a result of her involvement in the ‘Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances’ and ‘Distribution of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.’ Her crimes were a clear breach of trust and a threat to public safety.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, working tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the case, shedding light on the dark underbelly of the region’s drug trade.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the case, delivering a fair and just sentence that reflects the severity of Blake’s crimes. Her 18-month prison sentence serves as a warning to others involved in the illicit drug trade: the Grimy Times will shine a light on your actions, and you will be held accountable.

As the Grimy Times continues to expose the truth behind West Virginia’s opioid epidemic, one thing is clear: those responsible for distributing deadly substances like fentanyl will face the full force of the law. Paula Blake’s sentence is a testament to the unwavering commitment of law enforcement and the justice system to protect our communities and bring perpetrators to justice.

In the face of this ongoing crisis, the Grimy Times remains dedicated to shedding light on the root causes of addiction and the devastating consequences of the illicit drug trade. Our mission is to inform, educate, and empower the public to demand action from our leaders and hold them accountable for their role in addressing this crisis.