Ohio Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Emariel Kanay Tyler, 20, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, for use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 29, 2023, Tyler traveled by rideshare from a Charleston apartment to a residence in Wyoming County with quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Tyler admitted that she used her cell phone to arrange the sale of the fentanyl to someone at the residence, discussing the meeting location and the prices to be charged for the fentanyl. Tyler exchanged the fentanyl for payment at the meeting location, but further admitted that she returned to Charleston with both the money and the fentanyl.

The rideshare dropped Tyler off at the Charleston apartment upon their return from Wyoming County. Tyler found that law enforcement officers were executing a search warrant at the apartment, where her boyfriend, Terric Zaire Williams, was staying. Officers saw the outline of a firearm in Tyler’s pants and a large amount of cash and a baggie of suspected drugs hanging out of the pockets of her jacket. Officers arrested Tyler.

Officers also seized three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine from a dining room trash can and a living room closet during the search of the apartment. Williams, 25, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced on February 27, 2025, to six years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-186.

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