Four Ohio Valley Residents Admit To Distribution Of Painkillers

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Four more individuals involved in a large prescription painkiller trafficking ring entered pleas of guilty in Federal court, according to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.

Katherine HUNGERMAN, also known as “Kat” or “Bubs,” age 45 of Shadyside, Ohio, entered a plea of guilty to the distribution of oxycodone. HUNGERMAN, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.

Christopher HOWARD, also known as “Fatboy” or “Fatty”, age 39, of Wheeling, entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute Schedule II & III controlled substances and one count of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance. HOWARD, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 24 years in prison.

Derick NAMACK, also known as “Dusty,” age 39, of Wheeling, entered a plea of guilty to distribution of oxycodone. NAMACK, who is on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison.
Jill WEST, also known as Jill Namack, age 31, of Wheeling, entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to engage in interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise. WEST, who remains free pending sentencing, faces up to 5 years in prison.

The above individuals were part of group of fifteen people who were indicted in February at the culmination of a sixteen-month investigation into the redistribution of oxycodone and other prescription drugs that came to the Ohio Valley from northern Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. Over the course of the investigation thousands of pills were recovered by agents via controlled purchases and court-authorized searches.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Parr handled the cases on behalf of the government.

These matters were investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police-BCI, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force is an Appalachia HITDA-funded initiative.