Five indicted for fentanyl distribution in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding counties | Journal-news

ELKINS — Five people were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Elkins on June 18 for fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine distribution, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said.

Melanie Lyn Outen, 47, of Petersburg, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Outen is accused of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl and a detectable amount of methamphetamine in Jefferson County in April.

Ted Alexander Voss, 29, of Petersburg, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of “aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Voss is accused of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl in April in Jefferson County and distributing methamphetamine in May in Berkeley County.

Dennis James Miller, of Moorefield, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of heroin and one count of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Miller, 43, is accused of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl in April in Jefferson County, distributing methamphetamine in April and May in Grant and Berkeley counties and distributing heroin in April and May in Grant County.

Michael Dean Smith, 49, of Petersburg, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Smith is accused of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl in April in Jefferson County and distributing methamphetamine in May in Berkeley County.

Jared Judy, 29, of Petersburg, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Judy is accused of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl in April in Jefferson County and distributing methamphetamine in May in Berkeley County.

Each defendant faces at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5 million for the conspiracy count.

Outen and Voss also face at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration for the aiding and abetting count.

Miller, Smith and Judy face up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million for each distribution count.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Charles Town Police Department investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.