Project Charleston Update: Akron Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio, woman who was arrested as part of Project Charleston, pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Azriel Irene Westfall, 20, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine before Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

“Westfall was carrying death and destruction in her purse,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Project Charleston shut down a significant drug trafficking organization operating between Akron and Charleston.  We will continue to hold poison peddlers responsible and put them behind bars for as long as possible.” 

On February 28, 2018, police investigators executed a search warrant on a drug house on Mountain Road in Charleston, where Westfall was staying with several other people.  The investigators searched Westfall’s purse and found close to 30 grams of a mixture of heroin and carfentanil (a powerful fentanyl analogue); almost 10 grams of heroin; and around 3 grams of ice methamphetamine.  Westfall was also carrying over $6,000 in drug proceeds in her purse.

Westfall faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on August 7, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

SDWVNews and USAttyStuart

 
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