Sisters Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Dawn Marie Bennett, 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and April Lynn McNeill, 44, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, each pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting the use of a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about January 24, 2023, Bennett arranged with McNeill, her sister, to send her a package through the United States Mail containing approximately 334 pills containing either oxycodone or hydrocodone. Law enforcement officers intercepted the package before it arrived at McNeill's residence. Officers delivered the package to McNeill's residence and detained her when she accepted delivery of the package.

Bennett and McNeill admitted to the arrangement and also admitted to arranging the shipment of approximately 487 pills containing either oxycodone or hydrocodone from Bennett to McNeill on or about January 19, 2024. Law enforcement intercepted that package, and it never arrived at McNeill's residence. Bennett and McNeill admitted that McNeill intended to sell pills from both shipments to people in the Parkersburg area.

McNeill and Bennett are scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, 12, 2024, and each faces a maximum penalty of four years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:24-cr-130 (McNeill) and 2:24-cr-131 (Bennett).

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