Women charged in drug sting

By JEFFREY SIMMONS/Staff

Two West Virginia women were behind bars on Thursday after being arrested Monday in Rocky Gap in an undercover drug buy, police said.
Teresa Ann Stanley, 24, of Bluefield and Melissa Lynn Hodges, 41, of Princeton are facing three felonies each in what police said was a two-week investigation of suspects from West Virginia peddling drugs in Bland County.
According to Special Agent R.M. Carr, the women were charged after selling prescription pills to undercover police on Monday afternoon in Rocky Gap.
Officers seized 50 Dilaudid tablets and two OxyContin tablets during the bust, Carr said. The narcotic painkillers had an estimated street value of $2,000.
A male was with the women during the transaction, but the man was not charged, Carr said.
Arraigned on Wednesday, the women have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
They are being held without bond in the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin. Their preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 24.
Following Monday’s arrest, West Virginia police searched Stanley’s residence and discovered drugs, money and a pistol, according to a newspaper report.
Stanley and Hodges are facing more charges in the investigation, and additional suspects may be arrested, Carr said.
The Bland County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this week’s case.
Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .