STUART, Va. — Residents of Mount Airy and the Ararat-Claudville section of Patrick County received active prison sentences on drug charges in a recent court session in Stuart.

Brenda L. Floyd and Jennifer Lee Hess of Mount Airy, along with Kevin Whitt of Claudville, were among 45 people charged last May in 161 sealed indictments that resulted from a 14-month undercover drug operation in Southwest Virginia.

About 10 of those defendants had their cases tried in a recent session of Patrick County Circuit Court.

Floyd, whose age and address were unavailable, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and drew a four-year active prison term. She also received suspended sentences on three counts of distribution of oxymorphine and another charge of distributing methamphetamine, and was ordered to pay a $200 fine, court costs and restitution.

Hess, 27, of 126 Iceberg Lane, Mount Airy, was convicted of distribution of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. All that time was suspended on condition of her successful completion of a diversion center program. Hess also was assessed a $500 fine, court costs and restitution.

Whitt, whose age and address were unavailable, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and received an active term of seven years and six months. He received suspended sentences on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and another count of distributing methamphetamine.

The Claudville man further was convicted of a probation violation from an earlier case and the court revoked 10 days of a previously suspended term. Whitt also was ordered to pay a $200 fine along with court costs and restitution.

In addition to local officers in Virginia, the probe that led to last year’s narcotics charges involved the Virginia State Police along with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Legal difficulties are not over for Hess, who was named last week in another major drug investigation, this one involving the Mount Airy Police Department.

She is charged in the city with two counts of selling/delivering a Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and two counts of maintaining a drug vehicle.

Hess was believed to be in a Virginia correctional facility during a roundup last week of the 44 persons charged in the Mount Airy narcotics sweep.