A Western North Carolina woman will spend at least a decade in prison on charges stemming from separate drug investigations. Officials say Tonya Maria Owen of Transylvania County pleaded guilty to charges of fentanyl, meth, drug paraphernalia and a weapons violation.
The charges came after separate incidents nearly a year apart. The 1st happened in October of 2024 when Owen was found with fentanyl while in custody at the Transylvania County Jail. Officials say she eventually admitted to smuggling the fentanyl inside the jail. She was released after posting bond.
Then nearly a year later while Owen was on probation her house was searched. Officers seized fentanyl, meth, and a gun during the search. Owen has been sentenced as a habitual offender and will serve between 10 and 13 years in the North Carolina State Prison System.
