Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Bree Eberbaugh, 28, pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.   

“According to data from the West Virginia Health Statistics Center, there have been 1,486 synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths among West Virginia residents from 2013-2017,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “That’s why I am committed to prosecuting every case involving the illegal distribution of synthetic opioids.  I will do everything within my power to save the lives of fellow West Virginians.”

Eberbaugh admitted that on August 28, 2017, her apartment was raided pursuant to a search warrant.  During the search, over 50 grams of fentanyl was discovered.  Eberbaugh stated that she believed she was selling heroin, but forensic analysts determined the substance to be fentanyl.  Eberbaugh admitted that she helped arrange sales for the fentanyl and acknowledged that some fentanyl had been sold just prior to the search warrant.  Eberbaugh also admitted that she had assisted another individual with selling and distributing fentanyl.        

Eberbaugh faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 1, 2019.

MDENT conducted the investigation.   The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge David A. Faber.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

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