Prosecuting Attorney Jason Holdren announces that Kenisha L. Sanders, age 28, of Charleston, West Virginia, was sentenced to seven years in prison following her convictions of Trafficking in Heroin, a felony of the first degree; Identity Theft, a felony of the fifth degree; and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree. Gallia County Common Pleas Judge Margaret Evans sentenced Sanders to seven years for Trafficking in Heroin, 12 months for Identity Theft, and 36 months for Tampering with Evidence. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
“On March 6, 2017, Trooper Matthew Atwood, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, conducted a traffic stop where drugs were located in the vehicle,” stated Holdren. “During the traffic stop Ms. Sanders identified herself as her cousin and was taken to the Gallia County Jail. Due to the demeanor of Ms. Sanders, Trooper Atwood believed that Ms. Sanders was concealing additional drugs inside a body cavity. Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin, Detective Chris Gruber, and Detective Brady Curry were able to recover 61 grams of heroin from Ms. Sanders in the Gallia County Jail. After additional investigation, officers were able to ascertain Ms. Sanders’ true identity.”
“I would like to thank Sheriff Matt Champlin, Detectives Gruber and Curry, and Trooper Matthew Atwood for their hard work and collaborative efforts in this case,” added Holdren. “It is great to see large amounts of heroin removed from our county, but we understand that we have much more work to do.”
