Two Maryland residents sentenced to a combined 55 years for heroin distribution resulting in death

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kelvin Johnson, of Baltimore, Maryland and Sykebia Stewart, of Dundalk, Maryland, were sentenced today to a combined 658 months incarceration for heroin distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Johnson, age 26,  was sentenced to 365 months incarceration. Stewart, age 25, was sentenced to 293 months incarceration.

“The sentences will not make right what has been done, but send the strong message of our continuing commitment to aggressively prosecute those whose actions cause injury or death,” said Powell. 

After a trial in June of 2018, a jury found Johnson and Stewart guilty on all counts. Johnson was found guilty of one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death.” Stewart was found guilty of one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death.” Johnson and Stewart distributed heroin in May 2016 in Berkeley County, resulting in death.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.