CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Fairmont woman has pleaded guilty in federal court for trafficking meth in north central West Virginia.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced via press release that Michelle Gallo, 57, of Fairmont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.
According to court documents, Gallo admitted to working with others to sell meth and other drugs and had firearms with her during this work.
Gallo faces 10 years to life in prison for the drug charge and five years to life for the firearms charge.
The No. 9 West Virginia Mountaineers (39-13) knocked off the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils (37-19) Friday night 7-3 to advance to the Big 12 baseball championship.
Advertisement
West Virginia grabbed the early advantage in the bottom of the second inning after senior Sean Smith hustled for a leadoff double before senior Brodie Kresser lined a two-out RBI double for a 1-0 lead.
Advertisement
West Virginia sophomore starting pitcher Chansen Cole threw three hitless innings, but in the fourth, redshirt junior Contrades drove a triple past a diving WVU senior centerfielder Paul Schoenfeld, and fifth year senior Dean Toigo reached out and lifted the 1-1 pitch over the left centerfield wall for a 2-1 Arizona State lead.
Cole left the game after five innings. He struck out six and allowed the two runs on the two hits as Joshua Surigao took the mound in the sixth. The sophomore registered two outs, including a strikeout, and issued a walk to Contrades in-between, but Sabins opted to bring in right hander Carson Estridge. The senior struggled to find the strike zone as Contrades swiped second and scored on a wild pitch before senior Reese Bassinger took the mound to record the final out of the inning.
Arizona State starting pitcher Cole Carlon entered the sixth inning and after registering the first out with a pop fly, Sun Devils head coach Willie Bloomquist called sophomore Finn Edwards in from the bullpen. Carlon finished the night with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.
West Virginia seized the momentum with one out singles from Smith and senior Mathew Graveline. Next, Junior Armani Guzman went opposite field with a deep RBI single to left field. Then, Kresser drove the ball in the dirt with a slow chopper to short, but a low throw hit off the chest junior first baseman Dominic Smaldino, scoring a pair of runs to cap a three run sixth inning and reclaiming the lead 4-3.
Advertisement
Bassinger took the mound in the eight and after walking Big 12 Player of the Year Landon Hairston and a fielder’s choice from Contrades, Sabins tabbed senior left hander Ben McDougal. Toigo slapped a high fly ball to centerfield, but Schoenfeld dropped the ball, putting two aboard.
Advertisement
Dawson Montesa entered the game and the junior right-hander shut down the Sun Devils momentum to hold the 4-3 edge.
West Virginia added insurance runs in the bottom of the frame, starting with the hustle from Guzman. He received a one-out walk before Kresser placed a single to centerfield and as Guzman raced for third, the throw skipped past redshirt sophomore Austen Roellig and dashed home, beating the throw and sliding in safely. Then, Tyrus Hall hit a two-out RBI single to left field, and proceeded to steal second and another errant throw rolled to right field and with no hesitation the junior sped all the way home to cap a three-run eight.
The West Virginia bullpen combined for three hitless innings. Montesa gave up a hit and a walk in he ninth, but he registered three consecutive outs as the Mountaineers advanced to the Big 12 Baseball Championship with a 7-3 decision.
West Virginia will meet Kansas in the finals Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. EST and the action will be televised on ESPN2.
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — A woman who held a role in a drug ring linking West Virginia to Illinois will spend at least a decade in prison, prosecutors said.
Krystal Tankson, 41, of Chicago has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine, according to a news release from the Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The release said the sentence was doubled as Tankson had previously been convicted of a federal drug offense. The woman must serve 10 years of that sentenced before becoming eligible for parole.
Prosecutors said in June 2021, an investigation into Fayette County drug activity was launched, leading confidential informants to make 20 separate purchases of fentanyl and methamphetamine over the span of four months.
Advertisement
Law enforcement officers seize more than a pound of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine and about three ounces of cocaine along with $250,000 cash from a Fayette County residence. (Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office)
According to prosecutors, the investigation led to the seizure of about three pounds of illicit drugs and nearly $250,000 in cash.
“Tankson was directly involved in the transportation of large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the state,” the release said. “Tankson is the final member of the drug trafficking organization to be prosecuted.
Investigators determined Heather Hewitt to be the network’s leader. In 2023, Hewitt was sentenced to up to 90 years in prison and fined $25,000 for her role in operation.
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A popular trail in Clay County has opened some major upgrades to the public.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey celebrated the opening of the new Elk River Trail Visitors Center. The governor said the new visitors center was designed to look like a historic train depot.
The celebration also highlighted a more than 4-mile-long expansion to the trail. The expansion features a paved mile leading into Clendenin, along with benches and a gazebo overlooking the Elk River.
Morrisey said part of the trail will serve as an official Mountaineer Mile location.
