Jalisa L. Hawkins, Heroin Distribution, West Virginia 2016

A heroin distribution operation has been dismantled in West Virginia after a Pennsylvania woman admitted to her role in the enterprise.

Jalisa L. Hawkins, 29, also known as 'Ashley,' pleaded guilty to one count of 'Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin' and one count of 'Distribution of Heroin in Proximity of a Protected Location' in United States District Court in Clarksburg.

The charges against Hawkins stem from her involvement in distributing heroin in Harrison County and elsewhere from January 2016 to May 2016. Court documents reveal that Hawkins admitted to distributing the illicit substance, often near Emmanuel Christian School in Clarksburg.

Hawkins faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the conspiracy count. She also faces not less than one year and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for the distribution count.

The actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant, according to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the heroin distribution operation.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/pennsylvania-woman-admits-role-heroin-distribution-operation