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Grimy Times Investigates: Methamphetamine Trafficking in West Virginia
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Grimy Times Investigates: Methamphetamine Trafficking in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, Kelly Newcomb, 56, of Nevada, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for her role in a California-to-West Virginia methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

Newcomb, along with codefendant Cara Linn Monasmith, rented a vehicle in Las Vegas and drove to California, where 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine were concealed in the vehicle for transportation to West Virginia. Newcomb admitted that she learned about the concealed drugs during the trip and followed instructions to leave the vehicle unlocked in the parking lot of the Super 8 Motel in Huntington, West Virginia.

According to court documents, Newcomb and Monasmith arrived in West Virginia on March 18, 2016, and an undercover officer removed the spare tire where the drugs were concealed.

Newcomb pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime and was sentenced by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

Additionally, Danielle Dessaray Estrada, 21, of Los Angeles, was also sentenced to a year and a day in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Estrada admitted that she picked up approximately five pounds of crystal methamphetamine in California and helped repack the drugs before driving to West Virginia with Rachel Arlene Garay.

The cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecutions.