Judy Ann Goodman, also known as Judy Ann Eplion, 32, of Chesapeake, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute suboxone and methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2022, Goodman conspired with Western Regional Jail inmate Corey Michael Perkins during phone calls to assist the smuggling of a package of suboxone and methamphetamine into the jail. The phone calls were recorded by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Goodman admitted that she helped to pay a woman working at the jail to transport the drugs into the jail. Goodman further admitted that Perkins instructed her on what to do with the package and arranged a meeting between Goodman and the jail worker.
Investigators intercepted the package when the jail worker attempted to deliver it. Goodman admitted that the package contained 126 Suboxone strips and approximately 7.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed that the controlled substances were buprenorphine and 6.8 grams of methamphetamine.
Goodman is scheduled to be sentenced on July 5, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
The jail worker, Bryanna Danielle Kern, 25, of Proctorville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute suboxone and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2023. The indictment remains pending against the inmate, Perkins. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Investigations Unit, the West Virginia State Police, and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chamber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is prosecuting the case.
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. 3:22-cr-220.
Original source can be found here.