Michelle Lea Harrington, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises, Texas 2020

State: Texas
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/vidor-woman-sentenced-federal-prison-opioid-overdose-deaths" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A 51-year-old Vidor woman has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for her role in a deadly opioid trafficking operation in the Eastern District of Texas.

Michelle Lea Harrington, 51, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises on September 10, 2020, and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on [date].

According to information presented in court, Harrington rented out a residence in Vidor, Texas to three individuals, including Catherine Ardis. Harrington lived at the residence and knew that Ardis distributed hydromorphone pills, also known as Dilaudid, from the property.

At least three persons died as a result of opiates purchased at the home, with medical examination determining that the victims died from poly-drug toxicity resulting from the use of hydromorphone pills.

Catherine Ardis was previously sentenced to 15 years for her role in the operation.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Vidor Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Beaumont Police Department, and Port Arthur Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson.

Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said that individuals who contribute to the unlawful trafficking of prescription opiates will be punished. ‘This conviction of a landlord who permitted the distribution of opioid pills in her residence is a clear message that our community will not tolerate those perpetuating the opioid crisis in southeast Texas,’ he said.

Harrington’s sentence is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of participating in opioid trafficking operations. As our community continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid crisis, it is imperative that we hold accountable those who contribute to it.

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