Cross Lanes Woman Sentenced to More than 15 Years for Drug Crime

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cross Lanes woman was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandi Martin, 35, was sentenced to 188 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Deadly - six pounds of 96% pure meth,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Thanks to the great work of our law enforcement partners, the package was intercepted before Martin had a chance to distribute it. Meth-related overdose deaths have been on the rise in our communities.”   

On January 25, 2018, law enforcement intercepted a package of approximately six pounds of methamphetamine headed for Martin’s address. On January 26, 2018, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Martin’s residence. Officers executed the warrant and found Martin as she was attempting to flush 19 grams of cocaine, 73 grams of methamphetamine and heroin. These drugs were recovered from the toilet and were sent away for forensic analysis. The drugs were confirmed for their substance and purity. The methamphetamine in the toilet proved to be 96% pure. The six pounds of methamphetamine also was 96% pure. Martin ultimately admitted that she intended to distribute the methamphetamine she was attempting to flush. Two handguns also were recovered from her residence. 

Martin has a previous federal felony conviction for the distribution of cocaine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) conducted the investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is an independent component of the U.S. Department of Justice. Established in 1982, OCDETF is the keystone of the Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. OCDETF agents and prosecutors nationwide handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States. OCDETF facilitates joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 19-CR-00209.