FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 24, 2011
CABELL COUNTY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO OXYCODONE DISTRIBUTION CHARGE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –Vetina Baylous, 50, of Salt Rock, Cabell County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today in federal court before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Baylous admitted that she participated in a drug distribution scheme in and around Huntington, West Virginia. The defendant also admitted that on numerous occasions, she acted as a “middle-man” where she used connections to large-scale dealers to obtain oxycodone for smaller dealers and users. On September 22, 2009, Baylous distributed one 80-milligram oxycodone tablet to an informant working for the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI). The same day, investigators executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence and recovered approximately 110 80-milligram and 59 40-milligram oxycodone tablets, a .25 caliber pistol and approximately $16,447. On May 9, 2011, investigators from the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force used an informant to make a controlled purchase of oxycodone from the defendant. Baylous admitted that she contacted a known associate by telephone and ordered the oxycodone tablets. At the time of the prearranged drug buy, a uniformed Huntington Police officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by the defendant and a confidential informant working with the HVCDTF. The defendant surrendered 156 30-milligram oxycodone tablets at the time of the traffic stop.
Baylous faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when she is sentenced on January 30, 2012.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, remain committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.
The Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force (HVCDTF) and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.
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