A Scottdale woman who admitted to her involvement in a 2019 fatal drug overdose in Greensburg said in court Friday that she has turned her life around since a police detective showed up at her door.

“I’m very sorry this whole thing happened and I hope other people can learn from it,” Janae M. Brown said.

The 44-year-old woman pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy. She was sentenced to five years of probation.

Brown was ordered to perform 30 hours of community service, preferably working with those who have substance abuse problems, according to Judge Christopher Feliciani.

Brown and two others were charged in August 2019 in connection with the death of Roxanne Gongaware, 59, on May 16, 2019 at her Greensburg home. Police said Brown communicated with Gongaware about buying drugs before her death and Brown worked with Britnee R. Clark, 41, of Avalon, Allegheny County, and Marcia L. Shearer, 62, of Connellsville, Fayette County, to obtain fentanyl-laced heroin that authorities said caused Gongaware’s death.

Brown entered a general plea to the conspiracy charge, avoiding prosecution on a drug delivery resulting in death offense. Her probation sentence will be terminated after three years if she abides by all of the conditions.

Assistant District Attorney James Lazar said Brown’s assistance with the prosecution led investigators to Clark, who is serving a jail term on a drug delivery resulting in death charge.

“To her credit, Ms. Brown was cooperative from the beginning,” Lazar said.

Defense attorney Michael DeMatt said Brown was addicted to opiates at the time and has been in treatment and is holding down a job.

“She’s been clean over the past few years and she’s gotten herself on the right track,” he said.

Shearer is serving a probation sentence on a conspiracy charge.

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