Operation Shutdown Corner Update: Beckley Woman Sentenced to More than 12 Years for Federal Drug Crime

 BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley woman was sentenced to federal prison for her participation in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating between California and Raleigh County, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stephanie McClung, 48, of Beckley, was sentenced to 151 months in prison, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.

“Operation Shutdown Corner took down 17 drug traffickers and was operating from California to West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “151 months in prison for her work with a drug trafficking organization. My question is, ‘Was it worth it?’ Great work by the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and our partners at the federal, state and local levels.”

At her plea hearing in January, McClung admitted that between June 2018 and September 17, 2019, she worked with other members of a DTO operating in Raleigh County to distribute methamphetamine. McClung admitted that during this time period she was supplied with distribution amounts of controlled substances from various members of the DTO. She also admitted to selling the controlled substances, which included methamphetamine and heroin, to individuals that she now understands were working with law enforcement as confidential informants. She further admitted to allowing another member of the DTO to have controlled substances delivered to her address. She admitted to allowing this on at least two separate occasions. On one occasion, approximately one pound of methamphetamine was delivered and on a second occasion a quantity of heroin was delivered to her address. 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police. 

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.  

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00237.