Carla Webb Daniels, Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking, WV 2024

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Carla Webb Daniels, 56, of Wheeling Island, is facing serious federal charges after a grand jury indicted her today for allegedly peddling heroin and cocaine in the vicinity of two Ohio County schools. The indictment, handed down in Martinsburg, paints a grim picture of a dealer operating brazenly near institutions meant to protect children.

According to Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, Daniels is accused of distributing heroin between January and March of this year, specifically within 1,000 feet of Madison Elementary School on Wheeling Island and Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Wheeling. This isn’t just dealing; it’s a calculated risk, knowingly exposing kids to poison for profit.

The indictment lists four counts of “Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” and another count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Each of these charges carries a potential sentence of up to forty years in federal prison and a staggering $2,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is leading the prosecution, a clear signal the feds are taking this case seriously. The investigation was a joint effort by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and the Marshall County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, both funded by the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) program. These task forces are on the front lines, battling the relentless flow of drugs into our communities.

While the indictment is a significant step, it’s crucial to remember that it’s merely an accusation. Daniels is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented to the grand jury clearly convinced them there’s enough reason to move forward with a full trial. The streets of Wheeling are a little less safe with someone like this operating within them.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely, bringing you updates as they become available. This isn’t just about one woman; it’s about the ongoing fight against the drug epidemic that continues to ravage West Virginia and tear families apart. We’ll be in the courtroom, reporting the truth, no matter how ugly it gets.