Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth Distribution

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Stephanie Barnett, 36, of Kanawha County, entered a guilty plea in court today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.   

“Barnett brought over six pounds of meth from Cleveland back to Charleston for distribution – SIX POUNDS,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “When we shut down significant drug pipelines like this from out-of-state we protect our children and reduce the availability of these dangerous drugs in our communities.”

On February 6, 2019, Barnett’s vehicle was pulled over in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, by a Kanawha County Sheriff’s deputy.  Barnett initially lied to the deputy about her name and age, and the deputy also smelled burnt marijuana inside the car.  The deputy retrieved his K-9 partner, who also indicated that there were narcotics inside the car.  Inside the console of the car, officers found a small baggie of methamphetamine.  When the officers opened the trunk, they found a large, plastic bag that contained three large bricks of methamphetamine.  Each brick weighed approximately two pounds.  The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA Mid-Atlantic Lab where it tested as being over 93% pure methamphetamine.  Barnett had traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, where she received over six pounds of methamphetamine.  She had intended to deliver the methamphetamine to local dealers in Charleston.     

Barnett faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. will impose sentencing on October 30, 2019.   

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