Woman admits to role in multi-county drug selling operation | Journal-news

MARTINSBURG — A Harpers Ferry woman has admitted in federal court her role in a drug-selling operation across Berkeley and Jefferson counties.

Amy Little, 45, of Harpers Ferry, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of communication facility, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said in a press release.

Little admitted to using a phone to arrange a purchase of heroin in September in Berkeley County.

She faces up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000, 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.

Little is one of three to accept a plea agreement for her role in the heroin, cocaine and fentanyl distribution operation known as “Operation Triple Crown.” Thirty-individuals have been indicted on charges in this case.

Shannon L. Keiffer, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin. By pleading guilty, Keiffer admitted to selling heroin in July in Berkeley County.

Keiffer faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million.

Jonathan A. Miller, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base.

By pleading guilty, Miller admitted to working with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from May 2018 to January in Berkeley and Jefferson counties and elsewhere. He faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $1 million fine.

Officials said agents seized 891 grams of different controlled substances, several firearms, ammunition and more than $33,000 in cash during several raids and searches conducted in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in January.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department and the Ranson Police Department investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program, which supplies federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to identify, investigate and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.