Washington County woman pleads guilty to violating federal gun, drug charges

A Washington County woman has pleaded guilty to violating federal drug and gun charges.

Alyssa Ashley Adkins, 30, of Houston, entered the plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court at Pittsburgh to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 40 grams or more of fentanyl; a similar charge for cocaine possession; being a convicted felon possessing; and using a gun whiledrug trafficking .

She entered the plea in front of U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

The judge ordered that Adkins remain in custody until sentencing.

According to court records, Adkins, also known as “Alza Ferezo,” and a co-conspirator Vashaun Lasalle Wright, 30, sold fentanyl to informants in March, 2018.

A search warrant of the Main Street, Houston house where Adkins and Wright were living resulted in police finding 50 “bricks” of fentanyl or heroin, three loaded handguns and ammunition, and about $24,000.

Wright pleaded guilty in September.

On Nov. 4, Horan sentenced him to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison followed by supervised release. The sentence will run after he serves 2 1/2 to 5 years for violating state gun and drug laws.

Adkins’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21.

Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, state police, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation that led Adkins’ prosecution.

The two were prosecuted as part of Operation S.O.S. (Synthetic Opioid Surge), a U.S. Justice Department enforcement initiative designed to dismantle deadly fentanyl distribution networks through cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as local and state prosecutors.

The Western District of Pennsylvania as one of only 10 districts from across the country to implement the S.O.S. program.