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Woman, 72, says she sold heroin to supplement Social Security checks

MONONGAHELA, Pa. — A 72-year-old woman accused of selling heroin in Washington County said she did it to supplement her Social Security checks, police sad.

Cheryl Bartus, of Donora, was caught selling 10 stamp bags of heroin to a confidential informant, police said.

Monongahela police Chief Brian Tempest said an officer pulled her over on Route 88, and when she got out of the car, she was dressed in a muumuu and didn't look like a typical drug dealer.

Bartus told the officer that her Social Security checks are not enough to live on so she supplements them by selling drugs.

Bartus is charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia and manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.

Neighbors said her arrest is a shame, but not a surprise.

"Over the years she's gone down the tubes," Claude Gibasiewicz said.

Police believe that the heroin may have been coming from the Monessan area, but the investigation is ongoing. Bartus remained in the Washington County Jail Wednesday afternoon on $25,000 bail.