Man pleads guilty in New Kensington drug overdose, gets 10 years of probation

The most serious charge connected to a 2018 drug overdose death was dismissed Wednesday against a New Kensington man.

Gust R. Stone, 42, was sentenced to 10 years of probation on a felony drug charge after prosecutors agreed to drop a drug delivery resulting in death offense. Stone pleaded guilty to his role in the Feb. 13, 2018, drug overdose death of Shanelle Waugh, 40, of New Kensington.

“Ten years is a long period of supervision. … If you start using again, that would be a very significant state sentence you could be facing,” Westmoreland County Judge Scott Mears said.

Stone was one of three men accused in Waugh’s death. Investigators said he bought drugs containing heroin and fentanyl from one of his co-defendants and then sold them to the second co-defendant, who took them to Waugh.

Assistant District Attorney Pete Caravello said Stone’s help with the investigation was instrumental.

“The defendant was cooperative in both the investigation and preparation for trial,” he said. “That brought the case together.”

Defense attorney Brian Aston said Stone has sought help for a drug problem.

“My client is currently in treatment and is going to continue,” he said.

Stone will be subject to random urinalysis by probation officers during his 10-year term. Mears warned that if Stone resumes using drugs that his probation could be revoked and his sentence might turn into confinement.

Caravello said Waugh’s family approved of the agreement and thanked Stone for his help with the prosecution.

Waugh was a 1995 graduate of Valley High School and enjoyed walking her two dogs, according to her obituary.