Monday, April 12, 2021

Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Meth Conspiracy

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Charleston woman who took part in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2019 entered a guilty plea today in federal court.  Kathryn Elizabeth Casto, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

Casto admitted that between April and September of 2019 she conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine.  During the conspiracy, Casto repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron, Ohio to various locations in West Virginia.  Casto would in turn supply other drug dealers with methamphetamine that would be sold in the Huntington and Charleston areas.  Casto admitted that she was aware some of her customers intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them and that she was responsible for the distribution of up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. 

Casto faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 12, 2021. 

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.

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. 3:19-cr-00245.

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