Two Huntington dealers headed to federal prison for drug crimes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Huntington dealers were sentenced today to federal prison for drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Jerrell Leon Johnson, 53, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack. In a separate prosecution, Ashley Nicole Farley, 25, was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On January 20, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a search of Johnson’s residence located at 709 Rear 9th Avenue in Huntington. During that search, agents located approximately 48 grams of crack inside a kitchen drawer. Johnson admitted that he intended to sell the crack seized by law enforcement.   

In a separate drug prosecution, on August 27, 2015, Farley was arrested on a warrant for distribution of heroin. In a search of Farley incident to her arrest, officers located a gray tan powder and cash. The cash contained marked currency from a previous undercover heroin buy from Farley.  

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation of Jerrell Johnson. The investigation of Farley was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including heroin and crack. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews