Raleigh County Woman To Federal Narcotics Charge

Thursday, February 6, 2025, 2:15 P.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BECKLEY, W.VA.- On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Melanie E. Hussain, 25, of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn to one count of Distribution of Fentanyl.

     Following entering her guilty plea, Judge Aboulhosn accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2025. At sentencing, Hussain faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the actual term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Hussain’s prior criminal history.

     According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and documents filed with the District Court, on November 2, 2022, during an ongoing investigation into narcotics distribution in the Raleigh County, West Virginia, area, Hussain sold around 4.2 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $300 during a controlled buy under the observation of law enforcement investigators.

Hussain Admits To Selling Drugs

     During her plea allocution on Wednesday, Hussain admitted to the court, to the fentanyl transaction and further admitted to selling 2.3 grams of methamphetamine to the confidential informant for $300 on November 3, 2022. Hussain conducted both sales from her Crab Orchard, West Virginia residence.