MARTINSBURG, WV – Seven individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that funneled fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from Baltimore into West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
This case stems from a sweeping January 2024 indictment against Gary Brown, Jr., and 81 others, accused of distributing significant amounts of illegal narcotics in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Of the 82 individuals charged, 80 have been convicted, and 44— including the seven sentenced this week—have received their punishments.
Sentences Issued This Week
The latest sentencing decisions include:
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James Beau Baker, 29, Charles Town, WV – 97 months in prison
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Amanda Nicole Albert, 32, Knoxville, MD – 46 months in prison
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Kendall Axavier Baker, 32, Winchester, VA – Time served
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Kaitlyn Ashley Knight, 32, Falling Waters, WV – Three years’ probation
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Ryan Brennan, 33, Strasburg, VA – Five years’ probation
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April Dawn Wentzell, 37, Ranson, WV – Time served
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Aaron Joshua James, 31, Harpers Ferry, WV – 70 months in prison
Meanwhile, Charles Delroy Singletary, 44, of Baltimore, remains a fugitive.
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Law Enforcement and Prosecution
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane, with U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh overseeing the proceedings.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, and multiple law enforcement departments from West Virginia and Virginia.
Part of a Larger Crackdown
This operation was conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which focuses on dismantling major criminal organizations through coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Authorities continue to pursue outstanding suspects as they work to disrupt drug trafficking networks in the region .