Three convicted of heroin, cocaine, painkiller trafficking

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Three individuals were convicted in federal court this week for their role in a drug trafficking operation involving heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Donald White, 40, of Cleveland, Ohio, along with Kari Jako, 26, and Christina Crupe, 33, both of Wheeling, conspired to sell heroin, cocaine, and prescription painkillers throughout 2014 in Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia.

White and Jako each pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy.” Crupe pled guilty to a criminal Information charging her with one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone.” Each of the defendants 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 Randy Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.