Sara L. Jackson, 49, from Keyser, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to court documents, Jackson worked with another individual to sell significant quantities of fentanyl—some pressed into pill form—and methamphetamine within Mineral County. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Jackson’s apartment, where they recovered nearly 1,300 grams of fentanyl and 788 grams of methamphetamine.
After serving her prison term, Jackson will be subject to three years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher handled the prosecution for the government. The investigation was conducted by the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, which is funded through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
Fentanyl has been identified as an especially dangerous substance due to its high lethality; even small amounts can pose significant risks to public safety. Former President Donald Trump designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction because of these dangers.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime and illegal immigration.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the proceedings.
