Northern District of West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Nathan Johnson, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to three years of probation for a firearms violation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Johnson, age 45, pleaded guilty in January 2020 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Johnson, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having 34 firearms in March 2017 in Berkeley County.

Johnson was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and ordered to forfeit 36 firearms, as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Caleb Sinclair, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Sinclair, 35, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin and Cocaine Base.” Sinclair admitted to working with others to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine hydrochloride from August 2020 to June 2021 in Berkeley County and elsewhere.

Sinclair faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Timothy D. Helman are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Harrison County men were sentenced today for their roles in the robbery of Summit Community Bank in November 2020, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Clint Monroe Utter, of West Milford, West Virginia, was sentenced to 188 months of incarceration. Utter, 43, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Bank Robbery” and one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.” Utter admitted to robbing the Summit Community Bank in Salem, West Virginia, of $69,100 on November 17, 2020 and then attempting to conceal the proceeds from the bank robbery by directing the purchase of prepaid cards.

David Alan Gill, of Salem, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 48 months of incarceration. Gill, 61, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Accessory After the Fact – Bank Robbery.” Gill admitted to helping Clint Monroe Utter evade authorities.

Utter and Gill were also ordered to pay $69,100 jointly in restitution to the bank.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The FBI and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Dallas Edward Weber, Jr. was sentenced today to 336 months of incarceration for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Weber, 40, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography.” Weber is accused of using a minor child to engage in sexually explicit conduct and producing child pornography from that conduct in June 2020 in Taylor County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Diann Carol Clark, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to a payroll tax fraud charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Clark, 59, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Willful Failure to Collect or Pay Over Employment Tax.” Clark was employed by Alpha Associates, Inc. in Morgantown. Clark was an office manager and bookkeeper at Alpha Associates, where she managed payroll between 2014 and 2018. Clark was responsible for collecting and paying over to the IRS Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes withheld from the wages of Alpha Associates employees. Despite knowing the firm withheld these payroll taxes from its employees’ paychecks, Clark did not pay over approximately $1,900,000, in such taxes to the IRS.

Clark faces up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The IRS investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tiffany Groves, of Kingwood, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 100 months of incarceration for her role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Groves, age 43, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Groves admitted to distributing methamphetamine in April 2020 in Monongalia County.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.  The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments.  The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners:  the  Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Four Preston County residents are facing wire fraud charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

The four are charged in eight-count indictment involving wire fraud. Those charged are:

• Cynthia Miller, 36, of Newburg, West Virginia
• Dustin Miller, 41, of Reedsville, West Virginia
• Markitta Miller, 28, of Reedsville, West Virginia
• Stacey Moreland, 34, of Tunnelton, West Virginia

The four are accused of working together to stage a vehicle accident, fabricate injuries, and file false insurance claims. The crimes allegedly occurred from March to July 2019 in Taylor and Preston Counties.

Each of them faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. ATF and the West Virginia Insurance Commission Fraud Unit investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CLARKSBURG WEST VIRGINIA – Michael C. Meade, Jr., of Masontown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 40 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Meade, 27, pleaded guilty in May 2021 to one count of “Possession by a Prohibited Person.” Meade, who had previously been convicted of a domestic battery charge in Marion County, admitted to having a semi-automatic pistol in February 2019 in Marion County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Grand Jury in Clarksburg, West Virginia, indicted two Ohio men on drug charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Reuben Jahmell Dauntez Donald, of Akron, Ohio, and Darion Davon Isimemen Ojezua, of Dayton, Ohio, were each indictment on methamphetamine charges in separate cases.

Donald, 35, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Donald is accused of selling methamphetamine near Jensen Playground on Wheeling Island in October 2021.

Ojezua, also known as “Dee,” 25, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Possession with intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Ojezua is accused of having and selling methamphetamine in October 2021 in Wetzel County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the Ojezua case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case Donald case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Antoine Paul Brown, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Brown, 38, pleaded guilty today to one count of “False Statement During Purchase of Firearm.” Brown admitted to falsifying a form to purchase a firearm for someone else in April 2019 in Berkeley County.

Brown faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Harpers Ferry Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. investigated. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Alex R. Lee, of Moundsville, West Virginia, has admitted to a methamphetamine charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Lee, 35, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Lee admitted to selling methamphetamine in February 2021 in Marshall County.

Lee faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jon Travis Yost, of Philippi, West Virginia, was indicted on child pornography charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Yost, 27, was indicted on one count of “Transportation of Child Pornography – Previous conviction,” one count of “Possession of Child Pornography – Previous Conviction,” one count of “Production of Child Pornography – Previous conviction,” and one count of “Attempted Production of Child Pornography – Previous conviction.” Yost, who was previously convicted of 3rd Degree Sexual Assault in Barbour County, is accused of producing, having, and sending child pornography from September 2019 to May 2020 in Barbour County.

Yost faces at least 15 and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the transportation charge, faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the possession charge, and faces at least 25 years and up to 50 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the production and attempted production charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jane Grace Dawson, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Dawson, age 32, pled guilty in January 2020 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.” Dawson admitted to working with others to distribute heroin in Wetzel County and elsewhere from March 2019 to August 2019.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Michael Fuller, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 18 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II announced.

Fuller, age 34, pled guilty in October 2020 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Fuller, who is not permitted to have a firearm because of a prior conviction, admitted to having a 12-gauge shotgun and a 10mm pistol in Marshall County in May 2019.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office investigated. 

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Kevin Isner, of Flemington, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Isner, 59, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Fifty Grams or more of Methamphetamine.” Isner admitted to selling more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in July 2020 in Marion County.

Isner faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Raymond David Bates, of Morgantown West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Bates, 43, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Bates admitted to having child pornography depicting minors under the age of 12 in July and August of 2019 in Monongalia County.

Bates faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Karim Irvin Brooks, of Hagerstown, Maryland, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Brooks, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.” Brooks admitted to working with others to sell heroin in February 2020 in Berkeley County.

Brooks faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Lucas T. Kincade, of Jacobsburg, Ohio, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Kincade, 28, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Kincade, a person prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony convictions, admitted to having a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in December 2020 in Marshall County.

Kincade faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ashley Marie Weber, of Thornton, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Weber, 38, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography.” Weber admitted to using a minor child to engage in sexually explicit conduct and producing child pornography from that conduct in June 2020 in Taylor County.

Weber is facing at least 15 and up to 30 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Casey Warren Lang, of Huttonsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 121 months of incarceration for drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Lang, 30, pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute at Least Fifty Grams of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Lang, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, admitted to having at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and 13 firearms in June 2019 in Randolph County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sean Amos Robinson, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Robinson, also known as “Zoo,” pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Eutylone.” Robinson admitted to working with others to distribute Eutylone from June 2019 to December 2020 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere.

Robinon faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Harpers Ferry Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. investigated. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Trampas Quint Wolford, of Cabins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 20 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Wolford, 57, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Wolford admitted to selling methamphetamine in March 2019 in Grant County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The task force consists of the FBI, West Virginia State Police, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Theodore Edward Coontz, of Belington, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 70 months of incarceration for a methamphetamine charge, United States Attorney William J, Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Coontz, 48, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Coontz admitted to having methamphetamine in August 2020 in Barbour County.

Coontz also was ordered to forfeit two pistols, a revolver, a shotgun, a rifle, ammunition, and $1,538 in cash found during a traffic stop and a subsequent search of his home.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Patricia Ann Mahoney, of Elkins, West Virginia, has admitted to a methamphetamine charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Mahoney, 52, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of at Least Five Grams of Methamphetamine.” Mahoney admitted to selling at least five grams of methamphetamine in February 2020 in Randolph County.

Mahoney faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5 million. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Daripsy Sanchez, an inmate at the Secure Female Facility at Federal Correctional Institution Hazelton in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 15 months for an assault charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Sanchez, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Assault of a Correctional Officer Involving Physical Contact.” Sanchez admitted to assaulting a correctional officer in April 2021.

The 15-month sentence will run consecutively to any other sentence she is serving.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Prisons investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Allan Howell, of Moorefield, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Howell, 43, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Howell admitted to having methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” or “ice,” in October 2018 in Hardy County.

Howell faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Moorefield Police Department

investigated. The task force consists of the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hardy-county-man-appears-drug-charges

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Chad C. Newcome, of Rock Cave, West Virginia, has admitted to carjacking and firearms charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Newcome, 40, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Carjacking” and one count of “Use of Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.” Newcome admitted to attempting to steal a 2018 Dodge Ram Truck on March 10, 2021 in Upshur County. Newcome used a 12-gauge shotgun during the carjacking.

Newcome faces up to 15 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the carjacking charge and at least seven years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the use of a firearm charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Edwin Mack Taylor, of Elkins, West Virginia, has admitted to selling methamphetamine, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Taylor, 54, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Taylor sold methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” and “ice,” in January 2020 in Randolph County.

Taylor faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley A. Ebbert, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to time served for selling drugs near a playground, United States Attorney William J, Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Ebbert, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine in Proximity to a Protected Location” in October 2019. Ebbert admitted to selling methamphetamine near Bruce Park playground in Wetzel County in May 2019.

Ebbert will be on supervised release for six years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Derrick Adams, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 77 months of incarceration for a heroin charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Adams, age 30, pled guilty in November 2020 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin.” Adams admitted to selling heroin in June 2019 in Wetzel County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Suzanne Adiyeh, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Adiyeh, 40, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises.” Adiyeh admitted to working with another to manage a place on Willowdale Road in Morgantown in Monongalia County for the purpose of storing, using, and distributing cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride in May 2020.

Adiyeh faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.  The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments.  The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners:  the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Find more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Eiandreus Kirkland Rebraun Pique, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced today to 57 months of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Pique, also known as “Duke,” age 26, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” Pique admitted to working with someone to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack,” near Wheeling University in February 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Clayton J. Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The U.S. Marshal Service, Columbus Police Department Gang Crimes Unit, the Martins Ferry Police Department, and the Bellaire Police Department also assisted.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

Original case indictment here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/26-charged-drug-conspiracy-involving-heroin-fentanyl-crack-cocaine-and-meth-wheeling

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Reuben Jahmell Dauntez Donald, of Akron, Ohio, appeared in federal court today on a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Donald, 35, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Donald is accused of having nearly 150 grams of methamphetamine on Wheeling Island on October 20, 2021. According to the affidavit, the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Donald. The purchased methamphetamine weighed approximately 149.56 grams, with a street value of nearly $15,000.

Donald is facing up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Wheeling Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, assisted.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sterling C. Davis and Braheem R. Sallie, both of Camden, New Jersey, were convicted at trial for their roles in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

“This result proves that drug traffickers can and will be held accountable even when they operate from another state and never set foot in West Virginia,” said Ihlenfeld. “The investigators and prosecutors are to be commended for their excellent work and the countless hours of time they invested in this case.”

After a three-day trial, Davis, 43, was found guilty of one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 100 Grams or More of Heroin and 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl” and two counts of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Sallie, 42, was found guilty today of one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 100 Grams or More of Heroin and 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl,” one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Travel Act – Distribution of Proceeds.” Davis and Sallie worked with others to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl from June 2019 to November 2019 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere.

At trial, the evidence revealed that co-conspirators in West Virginia would wire money for drug payments to Davis and Sallie in Camden, New Jersey.  The evidence also revealed multiple trips by West Virginia co-conspirators to Camden, New Jersey to obtain large amounts of heroin and fentanyl that were distributed and intended to be redistributed in West Virginia. 

Davis and Sallie each face at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the conspiracy count, up to four years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the unlawful use of communication device counts, and up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the distribution of proceeds count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office assisted.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

Find the related press release here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-charged-six-state-drug-conspiracy-involving-heroin-fentanyl-cocaine

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Steven Kokinda, of Westover, West Virginia, was found guilty today of a failure to register charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

After a three-day trial, Kokinda, 42, was found guilty of one count of “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registry.” Kokinda, who was previously convicted of sex offenses against children and child pornography charges, failed to update his sex offender registration after traveling from Vermont and New Jersey to West Virginia in August 2019.

Kokinda is facing up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon S. Flower and Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshal Service, the West Virginia State Police, and the Elkins Police Department investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph Wayne Dadisman, of Philippi, West Virginia, was indicted today on a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Dadisman, 49, was indicted on one count of “Possession with intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Dadisman is accused of having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” and “ice,” in June 2021 in Barbour County.

Dadisman faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug Task Force and the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Charles Lee Pingley, of Dunn, North Carolina, was indicted today on bank robbery charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Pingley, 52, was indicted today on two counts of “Bank Robbery.” Pingley is accused robbing the Citizens Bank in Randolph County on February 8, 2020, taking a bag filled with $30,216.05 in cash. He is also accused of robbing the same bank on August 6, 2020, taking a bag filled with $25,668 in cash.
 
Pingley faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, both of Annapolis, Maryland, were indicted today by a Grand Jury in Elkins, West Virginia, on national security charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Jonathan, 42, and Diana 45, are each charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Communicate Restricted Data” and two counts of “Communication of Restricted Data.” The charges come after a complaint was filed and the Toebbes were arrested on October 9, 2021.

For almost a year, Jonathan Toebbe, aided by his wife, Diana, sold information known as Restricted Data concerning the design of nuclear-powered warships to a person they believed was a representative of a foreign power.  In actuality, that person was an undercover FBI agent. The Toebbes had previously been charged in a criminal complaint alleging violations of the Atomic Energy Act.

Jonathan Toebbe is an employee of the Department of the Navy who served as a nuclear engineer and was assigned to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors. He held an active national security clearance through the U.S. Department of Defense, giving him access to Restricted Data. 

Toebbe worked with and had access to information concerning naval nuclear propulsion including information related to military sensitive design elements, operating parameters, and performance characteristics of the reactors for nuclear powered warships.

The indictment alleges that on April 1, 2020, Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to a foreign government, listing a return address in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, containing a sample of Restricted Data and instructions for establishing a covert relationship to purchase additional Restricted Data. The indictment also alleges that, thereafter, Toebbe began corresponding via encrypted email with an individual whom he believed to be a representative of the foreign government. The individual was really an undercover FBI agent.  Jonathan Toebbe continued this correspondence for several months, which led to an agreement to sell Restricted Data in exchange for thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency. 

On June 8, 2021, the undercover agent sent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Jonathan Toebbe as “good faith” payment.  Shortly afterwards, on June 26, 2021, Jonathan and Diana Toebbe traveled to a location in West Virginia.  There, with Diana Toebbe acting as a lookout, Jonathan Toebbe placed an SD card concealed within half a peanut butter sandwich at a pre-arranged “dead drop” location.  After retrieving the SD card, the undercover agent sent Jonathan Toebbe a $20,000 cryptocurrency payment.  In return, Jonathan Toebbe emailed the undercover agent a decryption key for the SD Card.  A review of the SD card revealed that it contained Restricted Data related to submarine nuclear reactors.  On August 28, 2021, Jonathan Toebbe made another “dead drop” of an SD card in eastern Virginia, this time concealing the card in a chewing gum package.  After making a payment to Toebbe of $70,000 in cryptocurrency, the FBI received a decryption key for the card.  It, too, contained Restricted Data related to submarine nuclear reactors.  The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) arrested Jonathan and Diana Toebbe on October 9, after he placed yet another SD card at a pre-arranged “dead drop” at a second location in West Virginia.

Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Lara Omps-Botteicher, Northern District of West Virginia, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar, Western District of Pennsylvania, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the NCIS investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Francis Tucker, of Moundsville, West Virginia, has admitted to a fraud charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Tucker, 67, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Structuring Financial Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirements.” Tucker admitted to conducting withdrawals of proceeds from the sale of a property in Florida in a manner and, with the intent to avoid bank reporting requirements regarding certain cash transactions. This crime occurred in 2016.

Tucker faces up five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danae DeMasi-Lemon and Jarod J. Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott Allen Greenwalt, of Moorefield, West Virginia, and Tonda Marie Hixenbaugh, of Petersburg, West Virginia, were indicted today on drug charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Greenwalt, 48, and Hixenbaugh, 30, were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.”  Greenwalt was also indicted on three counts of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Greenwalt and Hixenbaugh are accused of working together to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” and “ice,” in the spring of 2021 in Hardy County and elsewhere. Greenwalt, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of prior felony convictions, is accused of having a 9mm pistol in April 2021 in Hardy County.
 
Greenwalt and Hixenbaugh each face at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for each of the conspiracy and possession with intent charges. Greenwalt also is facing up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each of the distribution charges and faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Austin Jay Robinson, of Belington, West Virginia, was indicted today on drug charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Robinson, 22, was indicted on two counts of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Robinson is accused of selling methamphetamine in April 2021 in Barbour County.
 
Robinson faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug Task Force investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Antonio Buzzo, of Maidsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Buzzo, 28, pleaded guilty in May 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl.” Buzzo admitted to selling fentanyl in January 2020 in Monongalia County.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.  The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners:  the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

Find related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Julian N. Waddell, of Durbin, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 84 months of incarceration for firearms charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Waddell, 37, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to two counts of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Waddell, a person who isn’t permitted to have a firearm because of a prior conviction, admitted to having three revolvers, a shotgun, and a semi-automatic rifle in April and July 2019 in Pocahontas County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Mountain Region Drug Task Force investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Dustin Cain Anderson, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Anderson, 27, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Anderson, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having a .22 caliber revolver in November 2020 in Upshur County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

 

AUSA Jarod J. Douglas and AUSA Brandon S. Flower receive a CIGIE award for their work on the serial killer case at the Clarksburg VA hospital.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II is proud to announce that Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Brandon S. Flower are being recognized today for their tireless and superior work on the case of serial killer Reta Mays.

The Annual Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Awards ceremony took place virtually this week. The award for excellence in investigation will be given to the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigative team for the murders committed by a nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia. This award is given in recognition of the personal sacrifice, exceptional investigative work, and unwavering dedication demonstrated in successfully investigating this case.

Douglas and Flowers will be recognized, along with VA OIG Resident Agent in Charge Keith Vereb, VA OIG Special Agent in Charge Colin Davis, VA OIG Special Agent in Charge Kim Lampkins, FBI Special Agent Ashley Archibald, and WV State Trooper Corporal John Smith.

In July 2020, Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, admitted to killing seven veterans, and attempting to kill an eighth, with insulin injections. Mays was sentenced in May 2021 to seven consecutive life sentences plus 20 years.

For more information on the case, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/former-va-hospital-nursing-assistant-sentenced-seven-consecutive-life-sentences.

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) is an independent entity established within the executive branch to address integrity, economy and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies and aid in the establishment of a professional, well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the Offices of Inspectors General.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – David Ray Deberry, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 168 months of incarceration for drug and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Deberry, 34, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More Than Fifty Grams or More of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm as Felon.” Deberry admitted to working with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from February 2017 to June 2018 in Harrison County and elsewhere. Deberry, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior conviction, admitted to having a .45 caliber pistol in January 2018 in Marion County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jennifer Ann Howell, of Three Churches, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Howell, also known as “Jennifer Jellerson,” 42, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine – Aiding and Abetting.” Howell admitted to selling methamphetamine in October 2018 in Hardy County.

Howell faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Moorefield Police Department investigated. The task force consists of the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – William Glenn Vance, of Petersburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Vance, 44, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Buprenorphine – Aiding and Abetting.” Vance admitted to selling buprenorphine in September 2019 in Grant County.

Vance faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Moorefield Police Department, the West Virginia State Police and the Grant County Sheriff’s Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kamron Eugene Miller, Sr. and Andre Duana Bundy, both of Youngstown, Ohio, are appearing today on multiple drug charges, United States Attorney William, J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.

Miller, 34, and Bundy, 38, are each charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Cocaine Hydrochloride, and Cocaine Base,” three counts of “Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine,” one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl.” Miller and Bundy are accused of working together to distribute the drugs from May to September 2021 in Hancock County and elsewhere, including the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation involving more than $210,000 in cash, an assault rifle, two pistols, and several rounds of ammunition seized during the investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Clayton J. Reid are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Drug Enforcement Administration Wheeling; the Drug Enforcement Administration Youngstown; and the Ohio Highway Patrol investigated. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Mahoning County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia, is teaming up with Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and West Virginia University to hold a symposium discussing the cutting-edge methods used to convict a serial killer who preyed on veterans at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg.

In May 2021, Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg, was sentenced to seven life terms in prison plus 20 years for murdering seven patients with insulin and attempting to murder an eighth veteran. The two-year investigation that preceded the July 2020 guilty pleas was highly complex.

The symposium consists of examining the clinical, forensic, psychiatry, and legal prosecution techniques used to ensure justice for Mays’ victims and their families. The prosecution team, investigators, and experts from around the globe will be presenting during this dynamic event. The symposium has been approved for CLE and CME credits. Credits for LE in-service are pending.

“The Medicolegal Symposium on the Serial Murder Case of Reta Mays” will be held at the WVU College of Law on Thursday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

 

###