Two plead guilty to federal oxymorphone charges

Huntington, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Karson Williams, 21, of Charleston, entered a guilty plea today to aiding and abetting the distribution of oxymporphone.  During his plea hearing, Williams admitted that on January 14, 2014, he sold a confidential informant working with law enforcement a 40 mg oxymorphone pill, which is commonly known as “Opana”, in exchange for $80.00.  The drug deal took place at 21A Balies Drive in Nitro, West Virginia.  Williams admitted that he aided and abetted Bridgette Kelly in the drug sale.

Bridgette Kelly previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxymorphone and is schedule to be sentenced on September 14, 2015.

Williams faces up to 20 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on December 7, 2015, by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Jennifer Russell, who leased the residence at 21A Bailes Drive, also entered a guilty  plea in federal court today, to one count of knowingly maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing oxymorphone and faces up to 20 years imprisonment.  Russell is set to be sentenced on December 7, 2015.

These cases were investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and the prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman.  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 prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.