Randolph County woman indicted on methamphetamine and firearms charges

 ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Tara Lynn Leary, of Valley Head, West Virginia, is facing drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Leary, 30, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More Than Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine,” one count of “ Distribution of More Than Five Grams of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Leary is accused of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from August 2019 to March 2020 in Randolph County. She is also accused of having a .380 caliber postil with her during one drug trafficking crime in January 2020.

Leary faces not less than 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for each of the conspiracy and possession of meth charges. She faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5 million for the distribution of more than five grams of meth charge. Leary faces at least five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the possession of a firearm charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.