Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced the guilty verdicts in a drug trafficking trial, which concluded Friday evening.
Romina Harris was found guilty by a jury on two counts of drug trafficking, two counts of drug possession, and improperly transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle, according to Flanagan. The prosecutor said that the drug charges included 25 grams of fentanyl and 55 grams of cocaine.
Flanagan said that Harris previously pled guilty to possession of criminal tools and conspiracy to illegally convey drugs into a prison stemming from the same incident. He explained that despite the admissions to the other charges, she maintained her innocence regarding the drugs and firearms that were found in a vehicle that she was driving.
Flanagan then elaborated on how the case started. The prosecutor said that information was shared by the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on March 27, 2025, that Harris and others, all from Steubenville, were traveling to Columbus to receive a large shipment of drugs.
Upon their return on the next day, according to Flanagan, members of the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office were waiting and stopped the vehicle. Flanagan said that the Drug Unit followed protocol and searched the vehicle finding a large amount of drugs and two loaded firearms.
Flanagan explained that the State’s theory of the case, as presented by Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra at trial, was that Harris and other defendants possessed drugs in order to not only sell but to get them into a prison facility in Ohio believed to be Madison Correctional Institution. Flanagan said that in addition to the drugs, a drone was found in the search as well as tobacco and cell phones.
Flanagan said that his office believed that the cell phones as well as the drugs were to be illegally conveyed into the prison using the drone. Flanagan further explained the seriousness of drugs and cellular telephones getting into the hands of prisoners.
“Drugs in the prison, especially Fentanyl, can do so much damage. The amount of Fentanyl that was recovered could have had tragic implications if it ever got behind prison walls,” the prosecutor explained. “Also, cell phones are often attempted to be smuggled into prisons.
“This allows an inmate to communicate with the outside world without being monitored. That, too, is extremely dangerous,” said Flanagan.
Flanagan noted that Harris’ brother, Marcus Harris, is currently incarcerated in Madison Correctional for murder and a sentence of life without parole. Flanagan said that it is believed that the contraband was intended for him.
Flanagan explained that the jury was out for less than two hours on Friday, May 1, before delivering their guilty verdicts. Flanagan credited a number of people with involvement in the investigation. He said that the Drug Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office showed their willingness to assist other departments and that willingness was the key to this case. Det. Dustin Hildebrand and others from the Sheriff’s Office helped prevent a large amount of drugs and cell phones from entering Madison Correctional.
Flanagan also credited investigators R. Kammer and J. Thomas of Madison Correctional, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Ohio Highway Patrol for working as a team and sharing the information needed to not only effectuate an arrest but to also earn a conviction.
And finally, Flanagan praised the work of Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra. He said that few realize the amount of time and effort that is put forth to prepare a case for trial.
“Most only see the finished product. However, our cases require a substantial amount of preparation and that is exactly what Joe did in this case. That preparation led to the appropriate outcome in this case, and we appreciate all that he does for us and the people of this county,” said Flanagan.
Flanagan noted that sentencing will occur on May 18 before the Honorable Chris Berhalter in the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas.
