Martinsburg man sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing heroin overdose death

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Keith A. Watson, 36, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for selling heroin that led to the death of another individual, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
In April 2014, Watson sold heroin in Berkeley County, West Virginia that led to the death of a 37-year-old man.
 
"The U.S. Attorney's office remains committed to the aggressive prosecution of drug dealers, particularly when the drugs sold cause the death of another," said Ihlenfeld.  "We've partnered with law enforcement agencies to enhance the investigation procedures and techniques used to look into drug overdoses. We're also working on a national scale to improve the prosecution of dealers who cause deaths and serious injuries.”
 
Watson pled guilty in March 2015 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin.” In executing the plea agreement, Watson agreed to a binding sentence of 10 years in prison.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.