BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — A woman who admitted to providing the drugs which caused an Upshur County man’s overdose death will spend time in prison.
Arista Wright, 26, was given the maximum sentence of 15 years when she appeared before Circuit Judge Jacob Reger. Wright pleaded guilty to a charge of delivery with death after the December 2022 overdose death of Troy Cook of Buckhannon.
Investigators said Cook and Wright struck up a relationship to obtain drugs. Wright sold Cook what both of them though was heroin, but it turned out to be fentanyl and Cook died after overdosing. Authorities said although Wright was unaware it was fentanyl, she did in fact provide the drugs to Cook which killed him.
Cook’s younger sister Sasha Harris offered a tearful statement to the court ahead of the sentencing.
“Every poor decision comes with consequences, and we do acknowledge that people make mistakes, and sometimes that those poor decisions end up with somebody losing their life, We, the family of Troy Cook, ask you today, judge, to determine and hand down a sentence appropriate to the severity of the charges against Ms. Wright. Thank you,”
Wright told the court she holds herself accountable and regretted the role she placed in Cook’s death.
Judge Reger called it tragic case and said he had empathy for the Cook’s family. He also encouraged Wright to continue to pursue drug treatment while incarcerated.