South Carolina women indicted in federal court for allegedly transporting fentanyl | Journal-news

MARTINSBURG — Two South Carolina women were indicted this month in federal court for allegedly transporting fentanyl through the state of West Virginia.

Peggy Louise Farrington, 54, and Jacqueline Lee Weigland, 57, both of Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, were charged on March 5 by a federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg, on one count of aiding and abetting possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said in a recent press release.

The women are accused of, on or about Jan. 11, possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing 40 grams or more of a detectable amount of fentanyl in Berkeley County, according to the indictment filed in federal court records.

Farrington and Weigland each face five to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5 million, the release said. 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.

The women were first charged in Berkeley County Magistrate Court on the felony charges of possession with the intent to distribute, transporting controlled substances in the state and conspiracy.

These charges have since been dropped due to the federal court indictment, according to court records.

According to a criminal complaint filed in magistrate court, the women were arrested by an officer with the Martinsburg Police Department after being located with approximately 12 ounces of what appeared to be heroin with an estimated street value of $67,000.

At approximately 12:41 a.m. Jan. 11, Martinsburg Police Cpl. J. Harper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with South Carolina registration after it allegedly exited ROCS gas station located on West King Street without its headlights on, court records said. Farrington was identified as the driver.

Harper allegedly observed “fresh track marks” on the back of Farrington’s hands, some of which still had blood on them, court records said. Farrington allegedly admitted to being a heroin user and to having needles inside the vehicle.

Weigland was identified as the passenger, who allegedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs, records said. She allegedly had trouble undoing her seat belt to step out of the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, court records said, Harper located needles in Weigland’s purse along with a wallet containing her identification card.

A black cap was also found on the passenger side floorboard, according to police.

, which contained a large amount of white powder contained in a baggie. Needles were also allegedly located in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Farrington allegedly admitted to traveling from South Carolina to Philadelphia to pick up suspected drugs from someone, court records said. They were planning to then travel back to South Carolina to deliver to a third party.

Farrington allegedly said she believed the powder to be heroin and that she was being paid $1,000 to transport and deliver it, according to the complaint. During a search of her person, police allegedly located a white rock about the size of a marble in her inside jacket pocket along with a snorting straw that contained white residue believed to be heroin.

At first, Weigland allegedly stated she had no knowledge of the suspected drugs, but later admitted she knew that Farrington was being paid $1,000 and she was supposed to be receiving payment for coming along, court records said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.

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