Northern District of West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jennifer Gibbs, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 months incarceration for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Gibbs, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of a Controlled Substance” in September 2017. Gibbs admitted to selling cocaine in November 2016 in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also of the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley Chalk, of Inwood, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 84 months incarceration, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Chalk, age 41, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography” in August 2017. Chalk admitted to having in his possession child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor and a minor under the age of 12. The crime occurred in August 2016 in Berkeley County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigated. 
 
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man has admitted to a firearm charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jason Perry, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Perry admitted to illegally possessing 9mm pistol in Monongalia County in March 2017.

Perry faces up to 10 years 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 Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Shinnston, West Virginia man has admitted to unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Steven Scott Nestor, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Nestor, having previously been convicted of a felony in Harrison County Circuit Court,  admitted to possessing a 9mm caliber pistol. The crime occurred in May 2017 in Harrison County, West Virginia. 

Nestor faces up to 10 years 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 Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. 

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eight people have been indicted by a grand jury on January 9, 2018 for drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

The 30-count indictment alleges a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, as well as marijuana in Harrison County from an unknown date to September 2017. Those named in the indictment are:

• Ernest Russell Claypool, Jr., age 53, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Michelle Elaine Queen, age 46, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Chadley Russell Claypool, age 31, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Armand Taylor, also known as Scrap, age 24, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
• Jordan Michael Conaway, age 23, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Colton Justice Kallel, age 21, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Zachery Allen Queen, age 25, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Kamesha Sherrail Claypool, age 23, of Clarksburg, West Virginia

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA –United States Attorney Bill Powell has announced his Senior Leadership Team. Those appointed to the team bring a combined 109 years of service to the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, and will assist Mr. Powell in the management of the Wheeling, Martinsburg, Clarksburg, and Elkins offices.

Those named are Randolph J. Bernard, First Assistant United States Attorney; Helen Campbell Altmeyer, Civil Division Chief; Paul T. Camilletti, Criminal Division Chief; Fawn E. Thomas, Administrative Officer; and Traci M. Cook, Branch Office Supervisor Clarksburg. 

“I am excited about our team. We have important work to do, but I am confident we will get it done. The guidance and support I have already received has been invaluable. Along with our dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys and all of our support staff, we will continue to do the work of our district in a professional and unwavering manner,” said Powell.

Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard has been named First Assistant United States Attorney, after the retirement of former First Assistant Betsy Steinfeld Jividen. Mr. Bernard previously served as the Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Bernard joined the office in 2002. Mr. Bernard has also served as the District Office Security Manager. Before becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Bernard served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Wheeling, West Virginia Resident Agency. Prior to the FBI, he was a litigator with Coolidge, Wall, Womsley & Lombard in Dayton, Ohio.

Helen Campbell Altmeyer will continue in her role at the Civil Division Chief. She has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division since 1989. Before joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Ms. Altmeyer was an Associate at Bachmann, Hess, Bachmann & Garden, in Wheeling, West Virginia. She also served as an Assistant County Prosecutor in Ohio County, West Virginia, where she was primarily responsible for handling child abuse and neglect cases.

Paul T. Camilletti has been named the Criminal Division Chief. Mr. Camilletti was most recently the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. He joined the office in 1991 as an Assistant United States Attorney responsible for Asset Forfeiture. He has also served as a task force attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. He presently serves as the National Security Cyber Specialist and Crisis Management Coordinator. Before joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Camilletti was a partner in the law firm of Camilletti & Sacco in Wheeling, West Virginia. He has also served as an assistant Prosecuting Attorney in both the Ohio County and Marshall County, West Virginia Prosecutor’s offices.

Fawn E. Thomas will continue in her role as Administrative Officer, serving as the Chief of the Administrative Division and as the primary advisor to the United States Attorney for planning and managing all office resources. Ms. Thomas has been with the office since 1983. Prior to her appointment as Administrative Officer, she served as the Public Affairs Specialist and the Human Resource Specialist. Ms. Thomas was previously an EEO Investigator for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and an Evaluation and Review Staff Evaluator. Ms. Thomas also served on the Administrative Officers’ Working Group.

Traci M. Cook is the branch office supervisor in the Clarksburg office. Ms. Cook joined the office in 2016. Before becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Ms. Cook was a senior assistant prosecuting attorney in Harrison County.  She also served as an associate attorney at Reed Kimble PLLC in Morgantown, West Virginia.  Prior to that, she was an assistant public defender in Clarksburg, West Virginia and an associate attorney at Seibert & Kasserman, LC in Wheeling, West Virginia.
 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Middlebourne, West Virginia man has admitted to a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

William “Jack” Parr, age 51, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.” Parr admitted to distributing methamphetamine from 2015 to August 2017 in Tyler County, West Virginia. Parr, having previously been convicted of a felony in the Circuit Court of Tyler County, also admitted to illegally possessing two .22 caliber pistols, a 9mm pistol, and a .45 caliber pistol.

Parr faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the conspiracy charge, and up to 10 years 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 Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office are investigating. 

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Keyser, West Virginia man and a Piedmont, West Virginia man appeared in federal court after being indicted by a grand jury in November 2017 for drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jordan Foster, of Piedmont, age 22, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base,” four counts of “Distribution of Cocaine Hydrochloride,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride,” and “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Hydrochloride.” Foster is accused of distributing cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride in July and August 2017 in Mineral County.

Brandon Suter, of Keyser, age 26, was indicted on one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Hydrochloride.” Suter is accused of assisting Foster in possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in August 2017 in Mineral County.

Foster faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count. Suter faces up to 20 years 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 Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Westernport, Maryland was indicted by a grand jury in November 2017 for drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Shelley Kay Snyder-Windle, age 53, was indicted on two counts of “Distribution of Cocaine.” Snyder-Windle is accused of distributing cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride in July and August 2017 in Mineral County.

Snyder-Windle faces up to 20 years 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.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Grant, also with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations are investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Austin Boyd, Jr., of Toledo, Ohio was sentenced today to 240 months incarceration for cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Boyd, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine” in September 2017. Boyd admitted to possessing 280 grams or more of cocaine in Harrison County in September 2016.

Boyd was also ordered to forfeit proceeds, directly or indirectly, from the crime, including United States currency in the amount of $35,580.00 and a Taurus revolver, Model 85, .38 caliber.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and Bridgeport Police Department investigated. 

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

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A French Creek, West Virginia man has admitted today to distributing methamphetamines and a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Thunderbolt Dean Whaley, age 40, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More than 50 grams of Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.” He admitted to conspiring with others in distributing methamphetamines in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017. Whaley also admitted to carrying a .38 special revolver during a drug crime in Lewis County in July 2017. 

Whaley face ups to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the conspiracy count and faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Corey Letroit Joseph Riggs, of Houston, Texas was sentenced today to 46 months incarceration for an illegal firearm charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Riggs, age 41, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in September 2017. Riggs, who was previously convicted of felonies in the Circuit Court of Harris County, Texas, was in possession of .40 caliber Glock pistol. The crime occurred April 2017 in Ohio County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated. 

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher D. Barker, of Columbus, Ohio, has admitted today to failing to update his sex offender registration, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Barker, also known as Christopher D. Cooper, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Failure to Update Registration as a Sex Offender - SORNA.” Barker, having previously been convicted as a sex offender, admitted to changing addresses without updating his sex offender registration. The crime occurred from August to October 2017 in Ohio County, West Virginia and elsewhere.

Barker faces up to ten years 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 Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshal Service is investigating. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Baltimore, Maryland man has admitted today to distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Steven Robinson, also known as “H,” age 32, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.” Robinson admitted to conspiring with others to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin with an illegal street value of more than $300,000 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere from August 2015 to December 2016.

Robinson faces 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 United States Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth D. Grant, also with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided. 
 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man has admitted today to a firearm charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Charles Smith Rippy, Jr., age 62, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of  Firearm.” Rippy, having been convicted of two felonies, admitted to illegally possessing a .22 caliber pistol in Ohio County in April 2017.

Rippy faces up to 10 years 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 Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., presided. 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Stephens City, Virginia man has admitted today to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Lawrence Craig Rich, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm.” He admitted to making a false statement when attempting to purchase a rifle in Berkeley County in June 2017. 

Rich faces up to 10 years 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 Paul T. Camilletti is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided. 
 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Buckhannon, West Virginia man has admitted today to his role in a firearms theft and sale scheme, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Dustin Cain Anderson, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm – Aiding and Abetting.” He admitted to conspiring with others to receive, possess, barter, sell, conceal and dispose of 21 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016. 

Anderson faces up to 10 years 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 
 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – The United States Attorney Offices in the Northern District and Southern District of West Virginia are teaming up with law enforcement, service providers, and non-profit organizations to shed light on human trafficking in West Virginia. 

In 2016, approximately 8,000 cases of human trafficking were reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline, but only 21 of those cases were from West Virginia.  Federal law enforcement officers believe that figure significantly underrepresents the scope of the problem in our state.

“With the climate in West Virginia ripe for human trafficking, more has to be done to educate the public about the issue and to combat it. Victims deserve more from all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, Northern District of West Virginia.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The U.S. Attorneys for West Virginia want community members to understand the causes of human trafficking, and report suspected human trafficking.

West Virginia has a Human Trafficking Task Force, chaired by the United States Attorney Offices from the Northern and Southern District of West Virginia. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, service providers, victim advocates, educators, and representatives of the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, among others. The Task Force is unveiling its new website, https://stophumantraffickingwv.org. The Task Force will add more content and resources to the website as the year progresses.  

Human trafficking is a federal crime involving the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit someone for labor, services, or commercial sex.  In addition, the facilitation or solicitation of children for commercial sex—even without force, fraud, or coercion—is a trafficking crime. As a state, West Virginia is particularly vulnerable to trafficking because of its poverty, drug problems, and proximity to states with a high incidence of trafficking crime. Trafficking can occur anywhere, with anyone, and Task Force members are especially concerned about a growing trend of trafficking within families in the state. 

“Human trafficking is a human tragedy for which too many cases go unreported. We need the public to know the red flags of human trafficking so we can put a stop to it,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, Southern District of West Virginia.

Residents should remain vigilant, watching for signs of trafficking. Some red flags for human trafficking include: •    Lacking freedom to make basic decisions during work or free time
•    Sexually explicit online profile
•    Involvement in prostitution
•    Indebtedness to employer
•    Lacking personal possessions
•    Lacking control of identification documents
•    Possessing multiple cell phones 
•    Lying about age or identity
•    Avoiding answering questions about self
•    Resisting offers for help
•    Expressing unusual fear of law enforcement

Foster children and runaways are exceptionally vulnerable for trafficking. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1 in 6 runaways are believed to be victims of sex trafficking, and 86% of those trafficked children were in foster care or social services. 

Events are planned throughout the state to bring awareness and support for victims. For a current list, go to https://stophumantraffickingwv.org/events.
 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Baltimore, Maryland man has admitted to bank fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Steven Allen Baldwin, Jr., age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud.” Baldwin admitted to conspiring with others to steal checks from mailboxes, create counterfeit checks, and cashing those counterfeit checks. The crime took place in April 2016 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia. More than $9,900 was taken in this case.

Baldwin faces up to 30 years 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 Danae DeMasi-Lemon and Lara Omps-Botteicher are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated. 

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Baltimore, Maryland woman has admitted today to money laundering, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Stephanie Edmonds, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.” Edmonds admitted to conspiring with others to conduct unlawful financial transactions in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere from August 2015 to December 2016.

Edmonds 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 United States Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth D. Grant, also with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided. 
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man was indicted today by a grand jury on extortion charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Eugene Robert LeClear, age 46, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Extortion” and three counts of “Interstate Communications with the Intent to Extort.” LeClear is accused of conspiring with another to extort more than $14,000 from an individual from October to December 2017 in Ohio County.

LeClear faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy count and up to two years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each additional 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 Randolph J. Bernard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two physicians operating offices in West Virginia, along with a business partner, were indicted by a grand jury today on charges of illegally distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Dr. Felix Brizuela, Jr., age 61, of Harrison City, Pennsylvania, was indicted on 21 counts of “Distribution of Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,”  one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,”  and 15 counts of “Illegal Remuneration in Violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute .” 

Dr. George P. Naum, age 58, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,” and 10 counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Controlled Substances 
Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice.” 

Eric Drake, age 47, of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,” 10 counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,” one count of “Distribution of a Controlled Substance,” and one count of “Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises.” 

The three are accused of conspiring with one another to illegally distribute controlled substances from a drug treatment center, Advance Healthcare, Inc., in Weirton, West Virginia from 2008 to 2016.

Brizuela is also accused of distributing oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl and other controlled substances illegally in Monongalia County from 2013 to 2015, and accused of accepting financial kickbacks in exchange for directing urine samples for drug testing to a specific company.

Brizuela faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the distribution counts, up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge, and up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Naum faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Drake faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the distribution and conspiracy charges, and up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000 for the maintaining a drug premises 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. Attorneys Sarah E. Wagner and Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Fraud Division, WV Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Ohio Attorney General Health Care Fraud, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Hancock-Brook-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, West Virginia State Police, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Weirton Police Department are investigating. 
 

These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. 

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia man was indicted by a grand jury today for illegal possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Wilbur Higginbotham, age 51, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Higginbotham, having previously been convicted of heroin and illegal firearms charges in U.S. District Court and drug charges in Prince George’s County Maryland Circuit Court, was alleged to have in his possession a .22 caliber firearm in Harrison County in December 2017.

Higginbotham faces up to ten years 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 Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Mexican man was indicted by a grand jury today for illegal reentry to the United States, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Cecilio Granados-Hernandez, age 31, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien.” Granados-Hernandez, having previously been removed from the United States twice, was alleged to be found in Harrison County in December 2017.

Granados-Hernandez faces up to two years 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 Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Baltimore, Maryland man has his initial appearance today after being indicted by a grand jury in November 2017 for drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Samuel Hogans, also known as Richard Hogans, also known as “Lex,” age 37, was indicted on four counts of “Distribution of Cocaine Base,” two counts of “Distribution of Heroin,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Cocaine Base.” Hogans is accused of distributing cocaine and heroin in November and December 2015 in Berkeley County.

Hogans faces up to 20 years 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.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Buckhannon, West Virginia men have admitted today to their roles in a firearms theft and sale scheme, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Michael Lough, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm - Aiding and Abetting,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Lough, being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, admitted to receiving, possessing, bartering or selling 21 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016.

Benjamin Tyler Nazelrod, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Firearms.” He admitted to conspiring with others to receive, possess, barter, sell, conceal and dispose of 21 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016. 

Lough faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Nazelrod faces up to five years 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia, man has admitted to his role in a oxycodone trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Brent T. Leoffler, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone.” Leoffler admitted to conspiring with others to distribute oxycodone in Ohio County and elsewhere from 2012 to August 2017. 

Leoffler faces up to 20 years 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 Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Herbert V. Tremble, II, 49, of Florida, was sentenced today to six months incarceration, to be followed by six months of home detention, for tax and bank fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Tremble pled guilty to one count of “Corrupt Endeavor to Obstruct and Impede the Due Administration of Internal Revenue Laws” on September 6, 2017. Tremble did not file partnership tax returns and corporate tax returns for his multiple businesses in Morgantown, West Virginia between 2008 and 2012. He also failed to file or pay personal income taxes from 2004 through 2012. 

Tremble was also ordered to pay $58,504.38 in restitution.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
 

MARTINSBURG, WV –The U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of West Virginia is committed to revitalizing Project Safe Neighborhoods and reducing violent crimes, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

“I look forward to working with our state and local law enforcement leaders to develop an effective strategy to deal with violent crime. Assistant United States Attorney David Perri has been appointed coordinator of this project.  We will do all we can to identify the most violent individuals and organizations, and then prosecute them. I have already met with many law enforcement leaders and county prosecutors. I look forward to our partnership to make our communities safer,” said Powell.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001. 

In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said:

"According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action. 

“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work. 

“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy. 

“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer."

The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to help reduce violent crime:

-More Cops on the Streets (COPS Hiring Grants) – As part of our continuing commitment to crime prevention efforts, increased community policing, and the preservation of vital law enforcement jobs, the Department will be awarding approximately $98 million in FY 2017 COPS Hiring Grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The Fairmont Police Department was the recipient of a $250,000 COPS Hiring Program award, which will allow funding for hiring two additional officers. 

-Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) National Gang Strategic Initiative –The National Gang Strategic Initiative promotes  creative enforcement strategies and best practices that will assist in developing investigations of violent criminal groups and gangs into enterprise-level OCDETF prosecutions.  Under this initiative, OCDETF provides “seed money” to locally-focused gang investigations, giving state, local, and tribal investigators and prosecutors the resources and tools needed to identify connections between lower-level gangs and national-level drug trafficking organizations.

-Critical Training and Technical Assistance to State and Local Partners –The Department has a vast array of training and technical assistance resources available to state, local and tribal law enforcement, victims groups, and others.  To ensure that agencies in need of assistance are able to find the training and materials they need, OJP will make available a Violence Reduction Response Center to serve as a “hot line” to connect people to these resources.  

-Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) – The Department has provided grant funding to support a comprehensive approach to identifying the most violent offenders in a jurisdiction, using new technologies such as gunshot detection systems combined with gun crime intelligence from NIBIN, eTrace, and investigative efforts.  These FY 2017 grants were awarded to Phoenix, AZ, and Kansas City, MO.  

-Expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program – The Department will expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program nationwide by the end of the year.  Through this program, any firearm submitted for tracing that is associated with a NIBIN “hit” (which means it can be linked to a shooting incident) will be designated an “urgent” trace and the requestor will get information back about the firearm’s first retail purchaser within 24 hours, instead of 5 to 6 business days.
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gregory N. Cason, 45, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 15 months incarceration for tax fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

A federal jury found Cason guilty of two counts of "Aid and Assist in the Preparation and Filing of False Tax Form" in May 2017. He was acquitted of one count of "Conspiracy to Defraud the Internal Revenue Service and to Aid and Assist in the Preparation and Filing of False Tax Forms." 

Cason, a Certified Public Accountant, prepared tax returns for AKA Enterprises, Inc., a business entity operating several business in Morgantown, including a bar and restaurant facility. Cason knowingly underreported income, failed to report expenses paid in cash, and failed to report periodic cash payments to employees.

Cason was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert H. McWilliams and Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Monongalia County woman and an Upshur County man have admitted to their roles in distributing oxycodone, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Marjorie Sue Webster, of Maidsville, age 24, pled guilty to “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Webster admitted to using a phone to assist others in distributing oxycodone in March 2017 in Monongalia County. 

Christopher Moriarty, of Buckhannon, age 25, pled guilty to “Distribution of Oxycodone.” Moriarty admitted to selling oxycodone in June 2015 in Upshur County.

Webster faces up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,0000. Moriarty faces up to 20 years 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 Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Nicholas Graziano, 54, of Melville, New York, was sentenced today to 60 months incarceration and fined $15,000 for distributing synthetic marijuana, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Graziano pled guilty on March 27, 2017 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Analogue.”

As a part of the sentencing, Graziano was also ordered to forfeit the following, which are proceeds of the offense of conviction, property that facilitated the offense of conviction, and property involved in the offense of conviction:

• $94,777.83 in United States Currency seized on April 29, 2014, at the business known as X-Hale, located at 218 Walnut Street, Morgantown, West Virginia;
• $2,520.91 in United States Currency seized on May 8, 2014, from a United Bank account 
• $12,230.83 in United States Currency seized on May 8, 2014 from a United Bank account
• $2,032.76 in United States Currency seized on May 8, 2014, from a United Bank account    
• One 2010 Infiniti, VIN JN1CV6AR1AM252190, registered in the State of West Virginia  
• The business license issued by the State of West Virginia to Hookabuy,Inc.

In July 2012 through April 2014, Nicholas Graziano, owner and operator of X Hale Hookah Lounge in Morgantown, West Virginia, was distributing synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as spice, K2, incense, or fake weed. Synthetic cannabinoids are designer drugs that resemble a controlled substance in molecular structure and actual or intended physiological effect. 
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 
 
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia, man has admitted to health care fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Kenneth Boyles, age 52, pled guilty to one count of “Health Care Fraud.” Boyles admitted to falsely reporting symptoms related to his service in the United States Army Reserves to the Veterans Health Administration in order to fraudulently collect more than $224,000 in benefits. The crime occurred from 2008 to 2017 in Harrison County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men and two women were indicted by a federal grand jury in Elkins on December 19, 2017 on drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

DeMarco Davis, Jr., also known as “Tipp,” of Inwood, West Virginia, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine,” three counts of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with intent to Distribute Cocaine,” and one count of Possession with intent to Distribute Heroin.” 

Sarah Jaielyn Carter, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, age 26, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with intent to Distribute Cocaine.”

David Smeltzer, of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine,” one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” and two counts of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.” 

Shonna Marie Thomas, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, age 32, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine” and three counts of “Distribution of Heroin.” 

The crimes allegedly took place in Berkeley County and elsewhere, from November 2016 to February 2017.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Buckhannon, West Virginia woman has admitted today to distributing methamphetamines, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Elizabeth Ellen Golden, also known as Liz, age 43, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Golden admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County from March 2016 to September 2017.

Golden faces up to 10 years 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Derrick Sutton, of New York, New York, was sentenced today to 151 months incarceration for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Sutton, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in August 2017. Sutton admitted to working with others to distribute crack cocaine in Monongalia County in March 2017.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Four men have been arraigned this week after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Elkins on December 19, 2017 on illegal firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Joshua Neal Krieger, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, age 29, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm,” one count of “Conspiracy,” one count of “Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Transfer of a NFA Firearm,” one count of “Out of State Delivery of a Firearm,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” 

Glenn Eugene Oden, of Stevens City, Virginia, age 39, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy,” one count of “Illegal Possession of a Firearm,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Transfer of a NFA firearm.”

Stephen Clark Krieger, age 66, and Thorn Ashton Guessford, age 25, both of Federalsburg, Maryland, were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy.”

The crimes allegedly took place in Berkeley County and elsewhere, from May to July of 2017.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police are investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael E. Stradwick, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 84 months incarceration for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Stradwick, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in October 2017. The crime occurred in January 2017 in Wheeling, Ohio County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Anthony Martin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated. 

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
 

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Morgantown, West Virginia woman has admitted to a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jayla Shade, age 21, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Shade admitted to using a phone to distribute and assist in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The crime occurred in Monongalia County in February 2017.

Shade faces up to four years 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 Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wellsburg, West Virginia woman pled guilty today to taking more than $82,000 from a local credit union, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Michelle K. Martin, age 45, pled guilty to one count of “Theft, Embezzlement or Misapplication by Credit Institution Employee.” Martin admitted to embezzling approximately $82,000 from the Strip Steel Community Federal Credit Union in Brooke County from October 2016 to May 2017.  

Martin faces up to 30 years 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 defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.  

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Buckhannon, West Virginia woman has admitted to her role in a stolen firearms and meth distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Lisa Kay Knight, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Firearms.” Knight admitted to conspiring with others to steal, possess, barter and sell firearms for money and methamphetamines in Upshur County and elsewhere from October 2016 to September 2017. 

Knight faces up to five years 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department are investigating. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew Dean Smith, of Great Cacapon, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on illegal firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Smith, age 39, was indicted on one count of “Possession of an Unregistered Firearm,” one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearms,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Explosives.” Smith is accused of possessing an unregistered silencer, unlawfully possessing a .9mm pistol and .223 caliber rifle, and possessing explosive materials that had been shipped to him from another state. The crimes allegedly took place in Morgan County in October and December 2017.

Smith faces up to 10 years 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 Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police are investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Adonai Wilfredo Parada, of El Salvador, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on an illegal re-entry charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Parada, age 39, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of Removed Alien.” Parada is accused of being in the United States illegally after being removed as an alien in 2015. Parada was allegedly found in Ranson, West Virginia on December 7, 2017.

Parada faces up to two years 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 Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia man has admitted to distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Carl Cedric Booth, age 20, pled guilty to one count of “Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin.” Booth admitted to distributing heroin in October 2016 in Berkeley County, West Virginia.

Booth faces up to 20 years 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. 

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Trumble presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA –Three West Virginia residents have admitted to their roles in a meth distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jerry Lee Stewart, Jr., 28, of Weston, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.” Stewart admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017. He also admitted to possessing a 9mm caliber pistol and a .22 caliber pistol while committing a drug trafficking crime in April 2017 in Lewis County.

Reggie Joe McLain, age 38, of Buckhannon, West Virginia pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” McLain admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County and elsewhere from March 2016 to September 2017.

Casey Jo Richards, age 28, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Richards admitted to distributing crystal meth in April 2017 in Harrison County.

Stewart and McLain each face up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the conspiracy count. Stewart also faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count. Richards faces up to 20 years 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 cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department are investigating. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
 

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Quashad Maurante Pugh, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 5, 2017 on drug charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Pugh, also known as “Q” and “Quavo,” age 23, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine Base within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Pugh is accused of selling cocaine and distributing cocaine near Jensen Playground in October 2017 in Ohio County. 

Pugh faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for Count 1, and he faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for Count 2. 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 L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, are investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Carl N. Hooker, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was arraigned today in federal court after being indicted by a federal grand jury on December 5, 2017 on drug charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Hooker, age 55, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone” and three counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone.” Hooker is accused of conspiring with others to distribute oxycodone, as well as selling oxycodone from 2009 to November 2017 in Marshall County. 

Hooker faces up to 20 years 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 Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bobbie Jo Phillips, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months incarceration for oxycodone and cocaine distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Phillips, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility” in September 2017. She admitted to using a phone to aide in the distribution of oxycodone and cocaine in Monongalia County in March 2017.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Fairmont, West Virginia man has admitted to an illegal firearm charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Rocmond Lewis, Sr., age 40, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Lewis, having previously being convicted of a felony in the Circuit Court of Marion County, West Virginia, admitted to possessing a .45 caliber pistol, a 9mm pistol, and a .380 caliber pistol. The crime occurred in March 2017 in Marion County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. 
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Kearneysville, West Virginia man has admitted to his role in a drug distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Gerald Gibbs, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.” Gibbs admitted to conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine. The crime took place from June 2016 to March 2017 in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Gibbs faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. 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 and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Trumble presided.