FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Woman sentenced to prison over drug charges.
Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, announces that on May 16, 2023, Heather L. Hewitt, age 42 and formerly of Prosperity, West Virginia, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing about her convictions for the felony offenses of conspiracy to deliver fentanyl and greater than fifty grams of methamphetamine and delivery of fentanyl. Judge Ewing sentenced Hewitt to serve 60 years in prison for the conspiracy conviction and 6 to 30 years for the delivery of fentanyl conviction, with the sentences to be served consecutively. Hewitt was also fined the sum of $25,000.00. Hewitt must serve 21 years in prison before being eligible for parole.
In rendering his decision, Judge Ewing noted that Hewitt led a significant drug trafficking organization that enabled out-of-state drug dealers to expand their network into Fayette County, West Virginia. Judge Ewing further noted the considerable harm to the community and citizens of Fayette County caused by Hewitt’s drug dealing.
In June of 2021, the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force began an investigation into a significant drug trafficking organization that was operating primarily in Fayette County. The investigation determined that Hewitt was the leader of the organization. In August of 2021, using a confidential informant, the Task Force began making purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the drug trafficking organization. Hewitt was personally involved in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from August 2021 through February 2022. Hewitt was also personally responsible for transporting large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the state. At the time of her arrest on February 19, 2022, Hewitt was found to be in possession of over one pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, approximately three ounces of cocaine, $125,172 in cash, multiple sets of digital scales, and five firearms. After her arrest, additional money was seized from other locations and Hewitt’s Cash App account. The total cash taken from the Hewitt organization amounted to just over $250,000.00. Ledgers found at Hewitt’s residence documented the distribution of over 14 pounds of controlled substances. The hard work of the officers of the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force put an end to a significant drug trafficking organization operating in Fayette County.
The Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated this crime. Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney R. Wes Toney prosecuted the case.