Project Parkersburg Update: Parkersburg Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Meth Conspiracy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg woman was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stephanie Eldred, 45, previously admitted that she was part of a drug trafficking ring operating in and around Parkersburg between February and October 2018. At her plea hearing, Eldred stated that she distributed more than 200 grams of methamphetamine that had been supplied by co-defendant Terrence McGuirk. 

“Eldred is one of 16 defendants convicted by my office as a result of Project Parkersburg,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “When we took this multi-state network of drug traffickers down, it was a huge win for the City of Parkersburg. An historic quantity of meth, as well as significant amounts of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine were seized. There is no doubt that the collaborative efforts of law enforcement saved lives.”

Eldred is being prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court and the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 478 grams of fentanyl.

Of the defendants charged in federal court, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, and Troy Pastorino have been sentenced. Amanda Atkinson, Aurelius Edmonds, Michael Holley, Terrence McGuirk, Michael Rhodes and Antoine Terry await sentencing later this year. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Jeremy Wolfe are handling the prosecution.

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