ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A woman recently was found guilty of several drug counts including fentanyl and cocaine, Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced.

Romina Harris was found guilty Friday 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. Flanagan said the drug charges included 25 grams of fentanyl and 55 grams of cocaine.

He added that Harris previously pleaded guilty to possession of criminal tools and conspiracy to illegally convey drugs into a prison stemming from the same incident. Flanagan 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 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 said 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 his office believed the cell phones and drugs were to be illegally conveyed into the prison using the drone.

“Drugs in the prison, especially fentanyl, can do so much damage,” Flanagan said. “The amount of fentanyl that was recovered could have had tragic implications if it ever got behind prison walls. 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.”

Flanagan noted that Harris’ brother, Marcus Harris, is currently incarcerated in Madison Correctional for murder and a sentence of life without parole. Flanagan said it is believed that the contraband was intended for him.

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.

Flanagan then praised the work of 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,” Flanagan said. “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.”

Romina Harris will be sentenced May 18 before Belmont County Court of Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter.