West Virginia Woman Sentenced After Fentanyl Bust

Nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl found in Mineral County apartment

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 49-year-old Mineral County, West Virginia woman has been sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison after law enforcement found nearly 3 pounds of fentanyl and over 1.7 pounds of methamphetamine in her apartment. Sara L. Jackson was found guilty of crimes related to the distribution of the drugs.

Why it matters

The sentencing highlights the ongoing opioid crisis in West Virginia, which has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has been a major driver of the crisis, leading to increased law enforcement efforts to crack down on drug trafficking.

The details

According to authorities, a jury found that Jackson conspired with another person to sell large amounts of fentanyl, some of which were pressed into pills, as well as methamphetamine, in Mineral County. A search warrant executed at Jackson's residence yielded nearly 1,300 grams (2.86 pounds) of fentanyl and 788 grams (1.73 pounds) of meth.

  • On February 12, 2026, Sara L. Jackson was sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison.

The players

Sara L. Jackson

A 49-year-old woman from Keyser, West Virginia who was found guilty of crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force

The law enforcement agency that investigated this case.

Lara Omps-Botteicher

The Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis in West Virginia, where powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl continue to fuel high overdose rates. Law enforcement efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks remain a priority, though the crisis persists.