FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. — A Fayette County woman received a lengthy sentence for federal drug crimes.
Samantha J. Cody, 35, formerly of Glen Jean, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for conspiracy to deliver fentanyl and greater than fifty grams of methamphetamine and 1 to 15 years for delivery of methamphetamine.
Fayette County Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. Cody will serve a minimum of 15 years in prison before she can be eligible for parole.
Judge Ewing said the sentencing was in part due to Cody’s involvement in a significant drug trafficking organization that had expanded into Fayette County.
Cody is one of three people who recently received sentences for their participation in the drug trafficking organization. She was one of the primary distributors for Heather Hewitt, the leader of the organization, who was sentenced to up 90 years in prison. Another member, Jarod Hendrick, was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison.
An investigation, which began in June of 2021 by the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, found that Hewitt was the leader of the organization and had Cody and Hendrick assisting her in the drug distribution.
While using a confidential informant, the Task Force began making purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the drug traffickers, including Cody, in August of 2021. She was involved in the distribution of large quantities of the drugs up until February of 2022.
Cody was arrested and found to be in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine on February 19, 2022. Law enforcement seized over one pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, approximately three ounces of cocaine, and just over $250,000.00 from the Hewitt drug trafficking organization during that time.
Ledgers found documentation at the residence of Heather Hewitt and Jarod Hendrick that stated over 14 pounds of controlled substances were distributed. It was documented that Cody was personally involved in the distribution of over 1 pound of controlled substances.