Former Fairmont State student, subject of months-long missing person search, accepts plea deal

FAIRMONT — The woman who police believed to be in “extreme” danger last year pleaded guilty to a felony charge in Marion County Circuit Court.
Kara Jeffrey, 22, of Barboursville, will enter a pre-trial diversion program for two years. If she successfully completes the program, the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Jeffrey pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver. That charge could be reduced to simple possession.
According to testimony at Friday afternoon’s hearing, the illicit substance was cocaine.
Failure to complete the program could result in a sentence of not less than one year and no more than 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Jeffrey, a former Fairmont State student, vanished after last being seen in Huntington on May 1, 2017. At the time, police believed she was in danger. She was not heard from for months and was later taken into custody in Muskogee, Okla., on Aug. 4, 2017, after missing a bond revocation hearing July 31, 2017.
She was charged with the original felony in February 2017.
A Barboursville native, Jeffrey is now a full-time student at Marshall University after successfully completing a day report program while also holding down a combination of full- and part-time jobs.