Mary Elizabeth Curran, Fentanyl Possession with Intent to Distribute, West Virginia 2021

Parkersburg Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

A 37-year-old Parkersburg woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for her role in a fentanyl trafficking scheme. Mary Elizabeth Curran, 37, was found with a significant quantity of fentanyl and a separate controlled substance in her possession when she was stopped by law enforcement officers in Wood County.

According to court documents, on April 27, 2021, Curran obtained a quantity of fentanyl in Columbus, Ohio, which she intended to distribute in the Parkersburg area. She was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by law enforcement officers after it entered Wood County from Ohio. Officers suspected that Curran was hiding controlled substances on her person and transported her to the North Central Regional Jail for an X-ray body scan.

While awaiting the body scan, Curran attempted to dispose of two plastic bags containing powder by flushing them down a bathroom toilet. The toilet was taken apart, and the bags were recovered. The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed that one bag contained approximately 56 grams of fentanyl and the other bag contained approximately 28.5 grams of a separate controlled substance. The lab also found Curran's DNA on one bag and her fingerprint on the other.

United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the West Virginia State Police in bringing Curran to justice.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence of four years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich prosecuted the case.

A copy of the press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-136.

Defendant Information:

Defendant Name: Mary Elizabeth Curran

City and State: Parkersburg, West Virginia

Criminal Charges: Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl

Crime Date: April 27, 2021

Sentence: Four years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release

Facts:

Curran attempted to dispose of controlled substances by flushing them down a toilet.

The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed that one bag contained approximately 56 grams of fentanyl and the other bag contained approximately 28.5 grams of a separate controlled substance.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/parkersburg-woman-sentenced-prison-fentanyl-crime-0