Raleigh County Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Krystle Elaine Cresce, 33, of Glen Morgan,  Raleigh County, pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 8, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Beckley hotel room where Cresce was staying and found quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.  Law enforcement officers also found $917, and three firearms: a SCCY, Model CPX-2 9mm semi-automatic pistol; a Springfield Armory, Model 911, 9mm semi-automatic pistol; and a Mossburg, Model 500, 12-gauge shotgun.

Officers encountered Cresce’s co-defendant in the hallway near Cresce’s hotel room and seized approximately 64 grams of heroin, 54 grams of methamphetamine and more than $2,850 in cash from the co-defendant. Cresce admitted that she worked with and assisted her co-defendant in the possession and distribution of the heroin and methamphetamine.

Cresce is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Alex Hamner 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. 5:21-cr-265.

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