BY LAUREL SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
DELBARTON, W.Va. — Three women face drug trafficking and conspiracy charges after investigators executing a search warrant in connection with the death of a 4-month-old infant allegedly uncovered evidence of drug distribution inside a Matewan residence.
Tonya Hayton, 50, of Williamson; Blanche Elizabeth Dotson, 35, of Belfry, Kentucky; and Regina Fay Allen, 34, of Williamson, were arrested June 22 after the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department executed the warrant as part of its investigation into the infant’s June 20 death.
The infant’s mother, Jonda Marie Whitt, 35, of Matewan, was previously charged with child neglect causing death and possession with intent to deliver in connection with the case. A second woman, Merissa Pruitt, 35, of Matewan, was charged June 24 in the case with child neglect causing death.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators were searching the residence for electronic devices related to the death investigation when they discovered a large quantity of suspected drug paraphernalia and items commonly used to package and distribute controlled substances.
Deputies reported finding multiple burned foil stamps, several digital scales, numerous small plastic baggies, large amounts of used and separated aluminum foil, marijuana-related paraphernalia, fentanyl test strips, a hypodermic syringe and a vial containing a white powder that deputies believed to be heroin.
Investigators also seized a 9mm handgun equipped with a large-capacity magazine loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition.
Because the original search warrant authorized only the seizure of electronic devices, deputies secured the residence while obtaining a second warrant to seize the suspected drugs, paraphernalia and other evidence.
According to the complaint, the evidence led deputies to conclude that Hayton, Dotson and Allen conspired to weigh, package and distribute controlled substances.
All three women were charged with possession with intent to deliver and drug conspiracy.
They were arraigned in Mingo County Magistrate Court and remain in the Southwestern Regional Jail in Holden on $50,000 cash-only bonds.
Whitt and Pruitt remain behind bars at the same facility on $500,000 cash-only bonds.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.