Final member of Culloden heroin-dealing family sentenced to prison on Federal drug charge

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Culloden woman who, together with her husband and son, sold heroin from their home in 2014 and 2015 was sentenced today to two years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Toni Lynn Cremeans, 41, previously pleaded guilty in December 2015 to distributing heroin.

From early 2014 to May 2015, Toni Cremeans, her husband Sanford Dale Cremeans, and their son, Shawn Cremeans, conspired to sell heroin from their residence at 2246 3rd Street in Culloden. During that time period, Toni Cremeans frequently transported heroin to their residence where she and others would prepare it for distribution.

On December 2, 2014, a confidential informant working with law enforcement contacted Shawn Cremeans to arrange a heroin purchase. The informant traveled to the Cremeans’ residence and met with Shawn and Sanford Cremeans while they waited for Toni Cremeans to arrive with additional heroin. Once Toni Cremeans arrived, the informant paid Shawn Cremeans and received the heroin from Sanford Cremeans. Toni Cremeans admitted that she was responsible for distributing up to 100 grams of heroin during the conspiracy. Sanford and Shawn Cremeans both admitted that they assisted in the sale of heroin from the family residence and were also responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin.

Sanford Cremeans was sentenced in January 2016 to three-and-a-half years in federal prison. Shawn Cremeans was sentenced earlier this month to five years of probation.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences. 

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.

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