A Pennsylvania woman, Jalisa Lashae Hawkins of Duquesne, has been found guilty of charges about her intention to deal heroin and fentanyl, as announced by United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. Hawkins, 35, was under surveillance when authorities observed her visiting a Clarksburg residence allegedly linked to drug activity. The subsequent capture and investigation resulted in law enforcement seizing both heroin and fentanyl from her vehicle.
Following several traffic violations, police officers initiated a traffic stop, which led to the discovery of the narcotics. According to details from the U.S. Attorney's Office, based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and various statutory factors, Hawkins could spend up to 20 years in federal prison. However, a federal district court judge will determine the exact sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Flower and William Rhee brought forward the case against Hawkins, and the government represented itself in the prosecution. Behind the initial investigation lay the efforts of the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force and the Mountaineer Highway Interdiction Team South, both of which receive funding from the HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) initiative.
The trial, which concluded with Hawkins' conviction, was presided over by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas S. Kleeh. A date for the sentencing has not been revealed.
