Four convicted of heroin, cocaine trafficking

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Four individuals were convicted of heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Amanda Dawn Arth, 34, of Lost Creek, West Virginia sold heroin in April 2015 near the Clarksburg, City Park – Broadway Playground in Harrison County, West Virginia. She pled guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” She faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.

Stacy Michelle Hitt-Snyder, 36, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, sold heroin near Glen Elk Park in Harrison County, West Virginia. She pled guilty today to Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” She faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000.

Brian K. Dixon, 47, of Clarksburg, sold heroin in Harrison County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Craig J. Singleton, 32, of Clarksburg, conspired with other individuals to possess and sell heroin and cocaine in Harrison County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Base.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Montoro prosecuted Dixon and Singleton, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted Arth, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted Hitt-Snyder on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated each of the defendants.

U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided in the Hitt-Snyder plea hearing. U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presided in the remaining plea hearings.