Woman in Mercer County Choose Prison for Drug Rehabilitation Program

Bluefield, W.Va. (WVVA)-according to the prosecutor of Mercer County, prosecutor Brian Cochran, Dana Marie Willis, 39 years old, was sentenced to 1-10 years in prison for the third offense, after not having to complete the long-term rehabilitation or to successfully complement the program of the Drug.

Willis was arrested by the Mercer County Sheriff Department in April 2024 for the theft from Walmart. According to Cochran, Willis was charged with the great jury of June, 2024, the great Mercer County, and was guilty on February 3, 2025.

The judge of the Circuit Court in Mercer County, Mark Wills, today sentenced Willis after “rejecting” the state recommendation for drug treatment.

“Our prosecutor takes many factors in mind before agreeing to a sentence recommendation. In cases like this, in general, we try to help people who want help from drug addiction to get the help they need. I believe that this approach to lower-level non-violent offenses usually makes the best sense for our community, because the prison sentence is hanging over the head if it does not comply. However, Mrs. Willis decided that she would prefer to go directly to prison rather than try the rehabilitation, so the judge did what she needed and granted her the request and sent her prison, ”said Cochran.

The press release from Cochran did not indicate how it was decided that Willis needs drug treatment.