A Hatfield woman is heading to state prison, after striking a plea agreement with prosecutors on charges stemming from the fatal overdose of an East Greenville man.
As part of the agreement, 38-year-old Brenda McLaughlin entered a guilty plea to two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute, and one felony count of involuntary manslaughter. Other charges of criminal homicide-drug delivery resulting in death, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person were dropped in exchange for her plea.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Risa Vetri Ferman sentenced McLaughlin to 2-to-4-years in state prison, followed by six years of probation, according to court records. McLaughlin will receive credit for 194 days of time-served, as she awaited the outcome of her case, the records state.
According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, a multi-organization investigation revealed that McLaughlin sold heroin/fentanyl to Jared Dameron, 39, of East Greenville, on Aug. 3, 2018. Dameron was found dead in his bedroom by his mother several days later, and the final autopsy listed his cause of death as acute intoxication by fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and heroin.
“We must stem the tide of these deaths and the widespread pain caused to individuals and families by heroin and opioid addiction,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, following McLaughlin’s arrest in March. “We need to make sure that those suffering from substance use disorder get the help they need. At the same time, we will continue to investigate and arrest these dealers who are profiting by selling these deadly drugs to stop them from killing more people.”
According to a report by Carl Hessler Jr. at the Pottstown Mercury, McLaughlin’s attorney—identified as Brie R. Halfond—said that the incident was not malicious, and described it as “tragic all around.” Halfond told the Mercury that McLaughlin had become addicted to opioids after being treated for a medical condition, and that she was living in squalor and was only selling drugs to support her addiction.
See also:
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