Butler woman sentenced on federal drug charges
A Butler woman was sentenced to time served and released on probation after pleading guilty to drug charges in federal court.
Kristin Tate, 39, an inmate at the Butler County Prison, was sentenced to time served, having been incarcerated for 17 months, and released to concurrently serve 36 months of supervised release on both charges.
She pleaded guilty in September to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Charges remain pending against co-defendant Joshua K. McKenzie, 36. He is facing the same two drug charges and charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Tate and McKenzie were arrested in May 2020 during an execution of a search warrant of a home in the 300 block of Virginia Avenue by the Butler County Drug Task Force.
The search turned up 33 stamp bags and eight grams of unpackaged suspected heroin or fentanyl, a .25-caliber handgun, a .45-caliber handgun and other contraband. The .45-caliber pistol's serial number had been obliterated, authorities said.
Officers noted that because of McKenzie's record, which includes a conviction for robbery, he is prohibited under state law from having any firearms.
The Butler County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Tate.