Katina Sabatino, Unlawful Use of Communication Device, West Virginia 2018

Katina Sabatino, a 25-year-old Morgantown woman, has been caught up in a web of crime, admitting to her role in a Monongalia County drug distribution operation.

According to the facts, on April 2018, Sabatino, was using a phone to assist with distributing controlled substances in Monongalia County. Her actions caught the attention of law enforcement officials, who swiftly acted to bring her to justice.

As a result, Sabatino has pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Device.” The maximum penalty for this crime is up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The United States Marshal Service assisted.

The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings. This case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of drug trafficking on our communities. It’s a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials who work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.

The case against Sabatino serves as a warning to those who would seek to engage in similar activities. The consequences of getting caught can be severe, and the risks far outweigh any potential gains. Our community demands justice, and we will continue to pursue those who would seek to undermine it.

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