Oct 21, 2022 2 min read

A Washington County woman was sentenced to serve seven years of probation for selling the heroin that led to a Uniontown man’s overdose death.

For half of the time she’s on probation, Kristen Marie Ross, 29, of California will be on house arrest with electronic monitoring, under the sentence handed down Thursday by Fayette County Judge Nancy D. Vernon.

Police said the heroin Ross sold killed Gary Engle, 29, on May 3, 2020. Engle’s mother, Donna Engle, 59, of Uniontown, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for buying the drugs for her son after he asked her twice to do so. She was sentenced to five years of probation in September.

On Oct. 3, Ross pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in death and other drug-related charges. In exchange, Fayette County prosecutors dismissed counts of criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide.

Ross’s attorney, Herbert A. Terrell, said his client was a “great candidate for the proposed sentence.” Terrell told Vernon Ross came from a troubled childhood and a background that included drugs and homelessness, but has since has moved to a home in a nice neighborhood, is gainfully employed, and is expecting a child.

Vernon stressed to Ross that the life she’s carrying is more important than hers, and that drug use can lead to horrific results to a newborn. Ross indicated that she understands, and continues to remain drug free.

Vernon said she accepted the plea because Ross did not directly sell the drugs to Gary Engle. The judge also indicated she imposed a sentence of probation because Donna Engle received a similar sentence.