HUNTINGTON, WV—A Huntington woman who participated in a heroin distribution conspiracy in 2012 was sentenced today to five years’ probation, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Kathleen M. Young, 51, previously pleaded guilty in March 2015 to conspiring to distribute heroin. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

During the month of June 2012, Young assisted others in distributing heroin in and around Huntington. Young frequently delivered heroin for others to locations where it was subsequently distributed. Young also collected cash proceeds from distributions and delivered them to other heroin dealers.

On June 28, 2012, Young was stopped by agents in the 2100 block of 9th Avenue in Huntington. Agents observed Young attempting to stuff a plastic bag in her pants and subsequently discovered the bag to contain approximately 20 grams of heroin.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.

This case was 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.