Northern District of West Virginia

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers were recognized for outstanding contributions to regional law enforcement objectives and prosecutions during an awards ceremony today hosted by United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.

Officers throughout the Northern District of West Virginia were honored today, including:

2016 Outstanding Prescription Drug Investigative Effort Award

The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, was recognized for its investigative efforts in the cases of United States v. Edita Milan, M.D. and United States v. Mario Blount. Milan, a physician with a medical practice in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Blount, a licensed pharmacist and former mayor of Bridgeport, conspired to unlawfully distribute prescription painkillers. Milan was sentenced in May 2015 to 60 months in prison. Blount was sentenced in February 2015 to 36 months in prison.

Maryland Natural Resources Police Office Barry D. Ball was recognized for his investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Tressie Duffy, M.D. Duffy, a physician in Martinsburg, West Virginia, repeatedly signed blank prescription orders and allowed unlicensed members of her staff to issue prescriptions for narcotic medications to patients that had not been seen by a physician. Duffy is awaiting sentencing after she pled guilty in December 2015 to seven counts of “Distribution of Oxycodone.”

2016 Outstanding Drug Interdiction Award

The Mountaineer Highway Interdiction Team was recognized for its investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Shawn McClain. McClain was sentenced in March 2015 to 120 months in prison after he admitted to traveling from Ohio into West Virginia to sell heroin.

2016 Outstanding Drug Investigative Effort Award

The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, was recognized for its investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Brian Hall, et. al.  Hall coordinated an interstate heroin trafficking operation in which heroin was transported from Maryland to locations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The drug distribution network was disrupted in June 2015 by a 163-count federal indictment targeting 41 defendants. Forty of the defendants have been convicted in federal court. Hall was sentenced in February 2016 to 100 months in prison for orchestrating the heroin trafficking scheme.

West Virginia State Police Sergeant Charles T. Kessel was recognized for his investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Noel Barrera Silva. Silva, a Mexican national living in Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced in May 2016 to 78 months in prison after he was discovered in possession of approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.

2016 Outstanding Firearm Investigative Effort Award

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Matthew H. Bassett was recognized for his investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Jarrud Dixon, et. al. Throughout 2013 and 2014, Dixon conspired with other individuals, including a licensed firearms dealer in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, to unlawfully transport firearms across state lines from West Virginia into Maryland. Dixon was convicted in February 2016 and is awaiting sentencing.

2016 Outstanding Healthcare Fraud Investigative Effort Award

Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Special Agent Scott A. Noullet and Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Special Agent Jennifer L. Jezewski were recognized for their investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Samer Kuzbari, M.D. Kuzbari, a physician in Fairmont, West Virginia, recently paid $440,232 to settle claims that he fraudulently requested reimbursement for medical services that were not actually rendered.

2016 Outstanding Investigative Effort Award

Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Edward P. Ryan and Wheeling Police Department Detective Brandi N. Alderman were recognized for their investigative efforts in the case of United States v. Kevin Wick. Wick repeatedly traveled across state lines from West Virginia to Ohio for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with five minor victims. He was convicted in January 2106 and is awaiting sentencing.

The United States Attorney’s Awards ceremony was held at the United States Courthouse in Wheeling today and included remarks from Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. and U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – During an awards ceremony held today in Wheeling, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II recognized a variety of community leaders, volunteers, and advocates for their outstanding contributions to public health and safety in Northern West Virginia.

“Each of the individuals recognized today have worked tirelessly to implement creative solutions to improve the quality of life in West Virginia,” said Ihlenfeld. “These individuals are at the forefront of efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and inspire progress throughout our state. I am pleased to acknowledge their outstanding contributions.”

A diverse group of community leaders were recognized today, including:

Dr. Dianna Vargo first joined the Ohio County, West Virginia School System as a math teacher at Wheeling Park High School in 1983. After serving as a teacher, a cross country and track coach, and an administrator, Dr. Vargo was named Superintendent of Ohio County Schools in July 2012. During her tenure as an educator and an administrator, Dr. Vargo has always been dedicated to ensuring that the children and families that she serves are positioned to build successful and productive futures.

In an effort to loosen the grip of substance abuse and addiction, Reynolds Memorial Hospital launched the BreakThru program in September 2015. BreakThru is a medically supervised withdrawal program designed to bridge the gap that often exists between substance abuse and recovery by transitioning patients through the withdrawal process and into long-term treatment. The BreakThru program is the first of its kind in the region and has already treated more than 100 patients from throughout the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) was established by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 1998 to reduce the impact of drug trafficking. The Appalachia HIDTA, which serves counties in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, was recently named the 2015 Outstanding HIDTA of the Year for its leadership in bringing unique substance abuse prevention and education resources to regional youth. The “Drug Prevention On The Move!” initiative features an interactive mobile classroom and a simulated impaired driving experience. The “Give Me a Reason” program distributes free drug testing kits to parents with the goal of giving young people a tangible reason to avoid illicit drugs and facilitating productive conversations about substance abuse between parents and children.
 
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Wheeling operates a Family Violence Prevention Program to provide education, support, and services to victims of domestic violence. The program offers a variety of services to victims, including transitional housing, an emergency shelter, crisis hotline, court advocacy, support groups, safety planning, monitored parent-child visitation, employability programming, batterer’s intervention and prevention programming, and free 911 cell phones. The program has established a Teen Dating Violence Prevention initiative that employs a dedicated advocate at several local schools to provide counseling, education, and other resources to empower students to understand and pursue healthy relationships. The YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program has also been instrumental in bringing the “Coaching Boys into Men” curriculum to several local schools to promote respectful behavior among student athletes to and help prevent relationship abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.

Reverend Dr. Darrell Cummings is the Chairman of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission and the Pastor of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling. Cummings has dedicated his life to public service and community engagement since he was first licensed as a minister at the age of sixteen. Cummings was recognized as the 1997 Wheeling NAACP “Man of the Year,” and the 2003 West Virginia Educators Association “Civil Rights Leader of the Year.” He was also honored by former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, III as the 2010 Distinguished Mountaineer of the Year. Cummings also provides support to incarcerated individuals by serving in the Chaplain Department of two state prisons.

Sergeant John Schultz joined the Wheeling Police Department since 1995 and has built a career dedicated to public safety. As a Prevention Resource Officer at Wheeling Middle School, Sergeant Schultz consistently finds creative and impactful ways to empower and inspire local young people. He was recognized as the 2014 Prevention Resource Office of the Year. During a June 2015 field trip to Wheeling Park Pool, Schultz was instrumental in saving the life of an eighth grade boy who nearly drowned after becoming unresponsive in the pool.

The United States Attorney’s Awards ceremony was held at the United States Courthouse in Wheeling today. A variety of Northern West Virginia community leaders and advocates were in attendance.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Convicted sex offender Christopher Barker, 27, of Follansbee, West Virginia, pled guilty today to moving across state lines without updating his sex offender registration status, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Barker, also known as Christopher D. Cooper, was previously convicted in Ohio County, West Virginia of “First Degree Sexual Assault Involving a Minor.” As a result of that conviction, Barker is required to register as a sex offender. In late 2015, Barker moved from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Follansbee, West Virginia without updating his sex offender registration status.

Barker pled guilty today to one count of “Failure to Register and Update Registration as a Sex Offender.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Police Department investigated.

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

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Chad Allen Workman, 38, of Beverly, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for his role in an oxycodone and marijuana distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Workman participated in an extensive and long-term multi-state drug trafficking operation. Workman, along with other individuals, conspired to transport large quantities of oxycodone and marijuana across state lines into West Virginia. The oxycodone was commonly transported from sources in Detroit, Florida and New Jersey. The marijuana was commonly obtained from sources in Pennsylvania and California. Workman further utilized the unlawful proceeds of the drug trafficking operation to purchase vehicles, real estate, and personal vacations.

Workman pled guilty in October 2015 to one count of “Money Laundering.” As part of the sentenced imposed today, Workman was ordered to pay a money judgment of $224,400 and to forfeit his interest in a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force led the inquiry. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office also investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Noel Barrera Silva, 27, a Mexican national living in Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for methamphetamine trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Silva was discovered in possession of four pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Wardensville, West Virginia. He pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Draylon Eric Beecham, 40, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to heroin trafficking today, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Beecham participated in a heroin trafficking network designed to transport heroin across state lines from Michigan to West Virginia for redistribution and sale. Beecham was among fourteen individuals charged with heroin trafficking when three separate federal indictments disrupted the drug trafficking scheme in February 2016.

Specifically, Beecham sold heroin in January 2015 near an elementary school in Monongalia County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Three individuals were sentenced in federal court in Elkins today for drug trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Daniel Lee Canter, 31, of Volga, West Virginia, was discovered in possession of methamphetamine in November 2014 in Lewis County, West Virginia. Following an investigation by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Canter pled guilty in December 2015 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” He was sentenced today to 188 months in prison.

David Wayne Doyle, 43, of Bartow, West Virginia, was discovered in possession of material commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine in Randolph County, West Virginia. Those materials included coffee filters, a mason jar, sandwich bags, and cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine. Following an investigation by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the United States Forest Service, the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Virginia State Police, Doyle pled guilty in December 2015 to one count of “Possession of Material Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine – Aiding and Abetting.” He was sentenced today to 63 months in prison.

Mary Kimble, 34, of Cabins, West Virginia, sold morphine near Petersburg City Park, a playground in Grant County, West Virginia. Following an investigation by the Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Kimble pled guilty in April 2016 to one count of “Distribution of Morphine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location – Aiding and Abetting.” She was sentenced today to 24 months in prison.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – John R. Burrows, 54, of Weston, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for synthetic drug trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In April 2014, Burrows sold a synthetic cannabinoid known as AM-2201 in a package labeled “Crown Worthy.” When depositing proceeds from the sale of these drugs into his bank accounts, he structured those deposits so as to avoid the reporting requirements of the Internal Revenue Service.

Burrows pled guilty in November 2015 to an Information charging him with one count of “Distribution of a Schedule I Drug – Controlled Substance,” and one count of “Structuring Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirement.” He was sentenced today to 60 months in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 60 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McWilliams prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation led the inquiry.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Aric J. Stutler, 38, of Mount Clare, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Clarksburg today to unlawful possession of a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Stutler, who has a previous felony conviction in federal court in Ohio, was discovered in unlawful possession of a .22 caliber pistol in Mary 2015 in Harrison County, West Virginia. He was previously convicted of the felony offense of “Armed Bank Robbery” in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Stutler pled guilty today to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Suhip E. Ebrahim, 26, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Wheeling today to oxycodone trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Ebrahim conspired with at least one other individual to possess and sell oxycodone throughout 2015 and 2016 in Ohio County, West Virginia. Specifically, Ebrahim was arrested in Wheeling in March 2016 after he was discovered to be in possession of a large quantity of oxycodone pills.

Ebrahim pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Oxycodone.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Robert McWilliams and Jarod Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, all HIDTA-funded initiatives, investigated.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Anthony Castillo, 32, of Clarksburg, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison after he admitted to receiving and distributing child pornography, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Castillo repeatedly received and distributed a variety of sexually explicit images depicting minor victims. He pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Clarksburg, West Virginia Police Department investigated.
 
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Convicted domestic violence offender John Patrick Blair, 64, of Clarksburg, pled guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Blair, who has a previous domestic violence conviction in state court in West Virginia, was discovered in unlawful possession of a .357 magnum caliber rifle in August 2014 in Harrison County, West Virginia. Blair was convicted in April 2010 in the Magistrate Court of Harrison County, West Virginia of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Blair pled guilty today to one count of “Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Clarksburg, West Virginia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Former Internal Revenue Service employee Victor Anderson, 65, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pled guilty today to stalking a female coworker, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

While Anderson was employed at the Internal Revenue Service Computing Center in Martinsburg, he repeatedly used the Internet and traditional mail to distribute letters, photographs, essays, and poems containing sexually explicit information about a female co-worker. The items were distributed to the female co-worker’s supervisor, coworkers, relatives, neighbors, and other individuals within the United States government.

Anderson pled guilty today to one count of “Stalking.” He faces up to five years in prison 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 Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert R. Teter, 30, and Jonathan J. Ross, 30, both of Elkins, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Clarksburg today to fraudulently using counterfeit money to obtain authentic currency and other goods, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Teter and Ross repeatedly exchanged counterfeit money in order to obtain authentic United States currency, debit cards, and merchandise in Harrison County, West Virginia in late 2014.

Both men pled guilty today to one count of “Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities – Aiding and Abetting.” They each face up to 20 years in prison 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 Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service, the Clarksburg, West Virginia Police Department, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeremy Colby Vickerson, 27, of Canton, Michigan, pled guilty in federal court in Clarksburg today to oxycodone trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Vickerson sold oxycodone in July 2015 near a video arcade facility in Harrison County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 100 feet of a Video Arcade Facility.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $4,000,000. 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 Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Street Crimes and Drug Unit and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A community forum highlighting the latest advances in social media and technology will take place next week in Wheeling in order to help parents keep their children safe online.

The United States Attorney’s Office and the West Virginia State Police will partner with Ohio County Schools to host the event on Wednesday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Woodsdale Elementary School.  It will feature a presentation outlining current trends in social media and Internet usage by kids of all ages.  Strategies will be offered to help ensure that young people remain safe and that teenagers use technology responsibly.  Following the presentation, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State Police will take questions and address concerns raised by the audience.
 
“In recent years, advances in technology have occurred so rapidly that many parents have a hard time keeping up with their kids,” noted U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.  “Technology can enhance the ability to learn and communicate, but at the same time it can put our children in harm’s way.  We invite the community to join us to discuss the challenges that we all face in keeping our kids safe in the digital age.”

The event is open to the public and those attending will be permitted to park on the playground at the school.  Anyone with questions about the event should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 304-234-0100.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two individuals were sentenced in federal court in Martinsburg today for unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Dustin Wade Hinckle, 30, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, stole a police vehicle during a May 2015 traffic stop in Morgan County, West Virginia. When Hinckle was subsequently apprehended, it was discovered that he had stolen two firearms from the police vehicle. Having previously been convicted of the felony offenses of “Breaking and Entering” and “Grand Larceny” in the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, Hinckle is prohibited from possessing firearms. Following a two day trial in January 2016, a jury found Hinckle guilty of one count of “Felon in Possession of Firearms,” and one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearms.” He was sentenced today to 120 months in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 120 months in prison.

Jesse Shayde Kenney, 25, of La Vale, Maryland, who has a previous felony conviction in state court in Maryland, was discovered in unlawful possession of six rifles and one shotgun in June 2015 in Mineral County, West Virginia. Kenney was previously convicted of the felony offense of “Conspiracy to Commit Theft in an Amount Greater Than $500” in the Circuit Court of Allegany County, Maryland. He pled guilty in January 2016 to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He was sentenced today to 70 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Camilletti prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated both defendants. The Mineral County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Office also investigated Kenney. The West Virginia State Police and the Morgan County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Department also investigated Hinckle.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenneth Bryan Crowley, 29, of Rockville, Maryland, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in a multi-state heroin distribution network, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Crowley was among 41 individuals charged in a 163-count federal heroin trafficking indictment in June 2015. As part of the drug trafficking scheme, heroin was repeatedly transported across state lines from Maryland to locations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania for redistribution and sale. Crowley pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Convicted sex offender Milton Stuart Kendall, Jr., 35, of Roanoke, Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Martinsburg to failing to update his registration status, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Kendall was previously convicted of “Sexual Battery” in the Circuit Court of the City of Staunton, Virginia. As a result of that conviction, Kendall is required to register as a sex offender. In late 2014 or early 2105, Kendall moved from West Virginia to Virginia and failed to update his sex offender registration.

Kendall pled guilty to one count of “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Anna Krasinski and Paul Camilletti prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service investigated.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Dylan Lee Hamrick, 23, of Belington, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Clarksburg today to drug and firearms offenses, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Hamrick was discovered in possession of methamphetamine and a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches in November 2015 in Randolph County, West Virginia.

Hamrick pled guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm with a Shortened Barrel.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the methamphetamine charge and up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the 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 Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury has returned indictments charging three men from Mexico with illegal reentry into the United States, alleging that they were discovered to be in the country unlawfully, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Alejandro Cervantes-Martinez, 35, originally of Mexico, was allegedly discovered in April 2016 in Jefferson County, West Virginia after previously having been deported from the United States. Cervantes-Martinez also allegedly utilized a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card and Social Security Card. He is charged with one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien,” and two counts of “Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and other Documents.” He faces up to two years in prison for the illegal reentry charge and up to ten years in prison on each of the fraud charges. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the three counts.

Alberto Martinez-Nieto, 45, originally of Mexico, was allegedly discovered in April 2016 in Berkeley County, West Virginia after previously having been deported from the United States.  Martinez-Nieto has multiple previous felony convictions, including “Vehicle Theft” and “Possession for Sale or Purchase for Purposes of Sale a Controlled Substance (Cocaine).” He is charged with one count of “Reentry of a Deported Alien Previously Convicted of an Aggravated Felony.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Pedro Camarrillo-Guevarra, 26, originally of Mexico, was allegedly discovered in October 2015 in Berkeley County after previously having been deported from the United States. He is charged with one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien.” He faces up to two years in prison 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 defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The United States Department of Homeland Security Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is investigating.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Curtessa Monet Franklin, 21, of Canton, Massachusetts, pled guilty in federal court in Martinsburg today to conspiring to provide false information while attempting to purchase a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Franklin conspired with two West Virginia residents and attempted to purchase a firearm by falsely indicating that the West Virginia residents were the intended purchasers of the firearm. In fact, Franklin was in the intended purchaser of the firearm. Franklin pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Provide a False Statement During the Attempted Purchase of a Firearm.” She faces up to five years in prison 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 Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – William Tillman, 50, of Annapolis, Maryland, pled guilty in federal court in Martinsburg today to heroin trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Tillman sold heroin in Berkeley County, West Virginia in April 2014. He pled guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, also of the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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

The Justice Department announced today it has reached a settlement agreement with Laborers Local No. 1149, based in Wheeling, West Virginia, resolving claims that the union violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) when it failed to reinstate U.S. Army National Guardsman Elliot Ferrell as an apprentice laborer after his return from three months of basic training in 2014.  As a result of that failure, Ferrell was ineligible to continue to receive job referrals through the union’s “hiring hall.”

USERRA gives service members the right to be reemployed in the civilian position that they would have attained if they had not been absent for military service, subject to certain conditions.  Under federal regulations, when a union operates a hiring hall that refers employees to jobs with employers, both the union and the employers have reemployment obligations to returning service members.

According to the Justice Department’s complaint, which was filed with the settlement agreement, Ferrell was gainfully employed through a series of job referrals from the hiring hall operated by the union until his departure for military duty.  The complaint alleges that Ferrell notified the union of his impending military duty and was told that his obligation to pay dues would be suspended for the duration of his duty.  Then, while Ferrell was attending basic training, the union notified his aunt that it had terminated his apprenticeship because one month’s payment of dues was late.  Though she immediately sent a check for the full amount owed, the union returned it and refused to rescind the termination.  The union’s action disqualified Ferrell from further hiring-hall job referrals.  Under the terms of the consent decree, which is still subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, the union must pay Ferrell compensation for lost income and further agrees that the hiring hall that it operates will comply with its obligations under USERRA, including its reemployment provisions.

“The civilian careers of the men and women in the National Guard should never be adversely affected because they volunteer to serve our country,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Bill Baer.  “Through the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, the Department of Justice will continue devoting times and resources to protect the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces from unjust actions and illegal burdens.” 

“Men and women who defend our freedom should receive our highest level of gratitude, not face barriers of discrimination,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously enforce USERRA to ensure that not only employers, but also unions operating hiring halls that refer employees to jobs, do not violate the rights of service members when they return to civilian life.”

“National Guard members, taking leave to serve our country, must be protected from overt as well as less readily apparent unlawful employment practices upon their return,” said U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II of the Northern District of West Virginia.  “Our office is committed to ensuring that all service members may return to their pre-service employment without demotion or penalty.”

Ferrell initially filed a complaint with the U.S. Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated this matter and then referred it to the Justice Department after attempts at resolution failed.

The Civil Rights Division has given a high priority to the enforcement of service members’ rights under USERRA.  Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/emp and http://www.servicemembers.gov, as well as on the Labor Department’s website at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.

Ferrell Complaint

Ferrell Joint Motion to Approve Consent Decree

Ferrell Consent Decree

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bertha Horton, 55, of Fairmont, West Virginia, pled guilty to cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Horton, also known as “Peaches,” sold cocaine in May 2014 near East Fairmont Junior High School in Marion County, West Virginia. She pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” She faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Marc G. Collett, 34, of Elkins, pled guilty to fraudulently using counterfeit money to obtain authentic currency and other goods, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Collett conspired with other individuals to repeatedly exchange counterfeit money in order to obtain authentic United States currency, debit cards, and merchandise in Harrison County, West Virginia in late 2014.

Collett pled guilty to one count of “Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities – Aiding and Abetting.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service, the Clarksburg, West Virginia Police Department, and the West Virginia State Police are investigating.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against Martinsburg, West Virginia, Police Department (MPD) Officers in connection with the 2013 shooting death of Wayne Jones.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of West Virginia and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division met today with the Jones family and their representatives to inform them of this decision.

Federal authorities conducted a comprehensive and independent review of the evidence related to the death of Jones, who was shot during a struggle with MPD officers on March 13, 2013.  Federal authorities reviewed the evidence collected during the state investigation, including video recordings, witness interviews, physical evidence, officer statements and expert testimony.  

The team of experienced federal prosecutors and federal authorities reviewed the evidence to determine whether the involved officers violated federal law by willfully using unreasonable force against Jones.  Under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right.  To establish willfulness, federal authorities must show that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.  This is the highest standard of intent imposed by law.  Mistake, misperception, negligence and poor judgment are not sufficient to establish a federal criminal civil rights violation. 

In this instance, federal authorities determined that the physical, testimonial and circumstantial evidence was insufficient to refute the subjects’ claims that they believed they had to fire their weapons while acting in self-defense or in defense of others.  Accordingly, the federal review of this incident has been closed without prosecution.  This decision is limited strictly to an application of the high legal standard required to prosecute the case under the federal civil rights statute; it does not reflect an assessment of any other aspect of the incident that led to Jones’s death.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of West Virginia, the Civil Rights Division and the FBI are committed to investigating allegations of civil rights violations by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources required to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are fully and completely investigated.  The department will aggressively prosecute criminal civil rights violations whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed between April 10 and April 16, 2016, local community and student leaders hosted an educational mock trial event designed to highlight the realities of teen dating violence, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

The interactive mock trial, which took place in the United States Federal Courthouse in Wheeling before an audience of local high school students, was developed by the YWCA Wheeling Family Violence Prevention Program in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. Students from John Marshall and Wheeling Park High Schools led the effort to design the underlying premise and content of the mock trial. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided over the trial and students portrayed several crucial roles, including the victim, the defendant, a witness, and members of the jury.

YWCA Wheeling Family Violence Prevention Program Director Patricia Flanigan described the mock trial as a “unique opportunity to educate our younger generation on the reality of the consequences of committing a crime of dating violence or domestic violence. We were very excited to use National Crime Victims’ Rights Week as a platform to demonstrate to local youth the criteria of a federal dating violence crime.” Flanigan commended the students involved in the mock trial, noting that they “took an active role in planning and developing this insightful educational event.”

Each year, the Office for Victims of Crime leads the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, designed to recognize victims of crime and highlight the work of victim advocates and service providers. This year, the theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope. This theme is designed to emphasize the importance of early intervention and victim services. Individuals interested in learning more about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week are encouraged to visit the Office for Victims of Crime website at http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brittany Hurst, 25, of Clarksburg, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for heroin trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Hurst was discovered in possession of heroin in late 2014 in Harrison County, West Virginia. She pled guilty in February 2015 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin – Aiding and Abetting.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Warner and Andrew Cogar along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

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

BRIDGEPORT, WEST VIRGINIA – Students in Harrison County, West Virginia participated in a dynamic drug education and prevention initiative this week, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Seventh and tenth grade students at Mountaineer Middle School, Bridgeport Middle School, Bridgeport High School, and South Harrison Middle School are participating in an initiative known as “Drug Prevention On The Move!” The centerpiece of the “On The Move” program is a unique, interactive mobile classroom trailer where students learn about a variety of drugs and their effects on the body and brain. Students answer questions electronically, providing useful insight into their perceptions of various drugs. The students also participate in an interactive impaired and distracted driving simulation.

“Empowering young people to make informed decisions based on accurate, factual information about illicit drugs is a critical component of the continued effort to loosen the grip of substance abuse and addiction in our region,” noted U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “I commend Harrison County Schools for their continued dedication to providing their students with innovative and impactful drug education and prevention initiatives like the ‘On The Move!’ trailer.”

The “On The Move!” program, which originally visited Harrison County in December 2015, is an initiative of Operation UNITE, a non-profit organization based in London, Kentucky. Operation UNITE works to rid communities of illegal drug use through undercover investigations, treatment, support, and education. The educational trailer is also provided in partnership with the United States Health Resources and Services Administration and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, an initiative of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Shawn Lamont McClain, 36, of Lisbon, Ohio, and Angel Rae Klein, 27, of Wheeling, with heroin trafficking, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Klein and McClain are alleged to have possessed and sold heroin throughout late 2014 and early 2015 in Ohio County, West Virginia. In several instances, the defendants allegedly sold heroin containing fentanyl. McClain, also known as “Gucci,” is specifically alleged to have sold heroin in February 2015 near Madison Elementary School in Wheeling. He was previously sentenced to ten years in prison in the Northern District of West Virginia for heroin trafficking in March 2015.

Both defendants are charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Klein is further charged with two counts of “Distribution of Heroin,” one count of “Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” McClain is further charged with one count of “Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl” and one count of “Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” McClain faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000 on the protected location charge. The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 on each of the other counts. 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.

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley 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.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Dante Callum, 38, originally from New York, pled guilty to credit card fraud in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Callum unlawfully purchased stolen credit card numbers. He then conspired with another individual to fabricate debit cards using the stolen credit card numbers. Callum would use the fabricated debit cards to purchase legitimate gift cards from a variety of retail outlets. He would then sell the gift cards in exchange for authentic United States currency.

Callum pled guilty to an Information charging him with one count of “Fraud Related to Access Devices.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio County, West Virginia Sheriff’s Department and the United States Secret Service investigated.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – William Dennison, 24, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for unlawful possession of stolen firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Dennison was discovered in Monongalia County, West Virginia in possession of two stolen firearms, including a .38 caliber revolver and a .22 caliber pistol. He pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearms.”

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

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

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Mary Kimble, 34, of Cabins, West Virginia, pled guilty to selling morphine, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Kimble sold morphine near Petersburg City Park, a playground in Grant County, West Virginia. She pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Morphine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location – Aiding and Abetting.” She faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict today convicting John Glenn Bartley, 56, of Inwood, West Virginia, of multiple federal stalking charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Evidence presented at trial indicated that Bartley harassed his former girlfriend by mailing indecent photographs of her to others.  Specifically, after the victim ended the relationship with Bartley, Bartley mailed lewd photographs of the victim to her brother, to her ex-husband, and to prior and prospective employers of the victim.

Following a three day trial, a jury found Bartley guilty of three counts of “Stalking” and one count of “Interstate Violation of a Protective Order.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on 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. Attorneys Michael Stein and Sarah Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry.

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

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two individuals were sentenced in federal court in Wheeling today for unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Darrick D. Fleming, II, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, who has a previous felony conviction in state court in Ohio, was discovered in June 2015 in Ohio County, West Virginia in unlawful possession of a 9mm pistol. He was previously convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio of the felony offense of “Carrying a Concealed Weapon.” He pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.” He was sentenced today to 27 months in prison.

Eric Brandon Lemasters, 33, of Jacksonburg, West Virginia, who has a previous felony conviction in state court in Ohio, was discovered in July 2015 in unlawful possession of two rifles, a shotgun, and a pistol in Wetzel County, West Virginia. He was previously convicted of the felony offense of “Grand Theft” in the Court of Common Pleas of Lake County, Ohio. Lemasters pled guilty in February 2016 to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He was sentenced today to 24 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted Fleming and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri prosecuted Lemasters on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated both defendants. The Wheeling, West Virginia Police Department also investigated Fleming.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – James Leon Fisher, 29, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to heroin trafficking in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Fisher, along with thirteen other individuals, conspired to transport heroin across state lines from Detroit, Michigan to Morgantown, West Virginia. The operation was disrupted in February 2016 when a federal grand jury returned three separate heroin trafficking indictments.

Specifically, Fisher sold heroin in December 2015 in Monongalia County, West Virginia. He pled guilty to “Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jessica Carrie Estep, 30, of Wheeling, pled guilty to cocaine trafficking today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In late 2015, Estep conspired with other individuals to possess and sell cocaine in Ohio County, West Virginia. She pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base.” She faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Randy Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Evan Megeath, 33, of Strasburg, Virginia, pled guilty in federal court today to unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Megeath, who has multiple previous felony convictions in state court in Virginia, was discovered in unlawful possession of a .22 caliber rifle in July 2015 in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Megeath was previously convicted of “Breaking and Entering,” “Grand Larceny,” “False Pretenses,” “Bad Check,” and “Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance” in the Circuit Court of Warren County, Virginia.

Megeath pled guilty today to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” He faces up to 10 years in prison 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 Paul Camilletti and Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

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

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Ray Morgan, 40, of Paden City, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Morgan, who has a previous felony conviction in Tyler County, was discovered in unlawful possession of two firearms in October 2015 in Tyler County. Morgan was convicted of “Failure to Appear” in the Circuit Court of Tyler County. He pled guilty in February 2016 to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

 MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Abrahim Yahya Kassim, 28, of Richmond Hill, New York, pled guilty in federal court today to unlawful cigarette smuggling, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Kassim participated in a cigarette smuggling operation designed to transport large quantities of cigarettes across state lines for redistribution and sale. The cigarettes were acquired in Virginia, where the tax rate for cigarettes is one of the lowest in the nation, and sold in New York, which has one of the nation’s highest tax rates. The cigarettes were possessed and transported in West Virginia.

Kassim pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Traffic in Contraband Cigarettes.” He faces up to five years in prison 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 Michael Stein and Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations, the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Office of Attorney General, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the West Virginia State Police, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation led the inquiry.

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

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Debra Bolden, 46, of Morgantown, West Virginia, pled guilty to heroin trafficking in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Bolden participated in a drug trafficking network designed to transport heroin across state lines from Detroit, Michigan to Morgantown, West Virginia for redistribution and sale throughout the region. The heroin trafficking scheme was interrupted in February 2016 when a federal grand jury returned indictments against Bolden and thirteen other individuals. Specifically, Bolden sold heroin in August 2015 in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Bolden pled guilty to “Distribution of Heroin.” She faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ronald Lee Jackson, Jr., 29, of Martinsburg, pled guilty to cocaine trafficking in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Jackson sold cocaine in Berkeley County, West Virginia. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Stephanie Taylor, also of the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Roberto Montalvo Laureano, 33, of Moorefield, West Virginia, pled guilty to cocaine trafficking in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Laureano sold cocaine in Hardy County, West Virginia. He pled guilty to one count of “Cocaine Distribution.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Samuel Lee Winebrenner, 29, of Petersburg, West Virginia, pled guilty to selling morphine in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Winebrenner sold morphine near Petersburg City Park, a playground in Grant County, West Virginia. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Morphine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Nelson Joseph Boucher, 33, of Cabins, West Virginia, pled guilty to prescription painkiller trafficking today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Boucher sold hydrocodone in August 2014 in Grant County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to “Distribution of Hydrocodone.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel Ross Sims, 27, of Fairmont, West Virginia, pled guilty to heroin trafficking today in federal court, admitting that he participated in a Detroit to Morgantown heroin trafficking network, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Sims was charged along with thirteen other individuals in February 2016 when a series of three federal indictments interrupted a Detroit, Michigan to Morgantown, West Virginia heroin trafficking scheme. Specifically, Sims sold heroin in late 2014 near West Virginia University in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Sims pled guilty today to “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Craig S. Coffee, 48, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to heroin trafficking today in federal court, admitting his role in a Detroit to Morgantown heroin trafficking scheme, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
Coffee, also known as “Mack,” was among fourteen individuals changed with heroin trafficking in three separate federal indictments returned in February 2016. The indictments disrupted a drug trafficking network in which a group of Detroit residents traveled to Morgantown and conspired to transport heroin across state lines for redistribution and sale throughout North Central West Virginia.

Specifically, Coffee sold heroin in May 2015 in Monongalia County, West Virginia. He pled guilty today to “Distribution of Heroin – Aiding and Abetting.” He faces up to 20 years in prison 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 Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA – On Thursday, April 7, 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office will join the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to host a dynamic community forum designed to highlight a unique, realistic perspective on the impact of prescription drug and opioid abuse.

The event will feature a screening of “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict,” a documentary film collaboratively produced by the FBI and the DEA in response to increasing prescription painkiller and opioid drug abuse in West Virginia and across the nation. The film, which is designed to better educate students and young adults about the dangers of these drugs and the tragic consequences that often accompany addiction, debuted nationally in February 2016. Students from the Fairmont State University Criminal Justice Program will attend the forum to supplement their current curriculum. The public is also invited to attend.
 
“It is the FBI's hope this film will start a conversation about the stark reality of drug abuse in this country and the unadulterated impact it has on our friends, families and communities,” noted Stephen L. Morris, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

The movie screening will begin at 6:00PM on April 7 in the Colebank Hall Gymnasium at Fairmont State University. The documentary will be followed by an interactive discussion with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Individuals and community groups interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation by calling (304) 625-5833 or emailing holly.henry@ic.fbi.gov.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today that, effective immediately, Department of Justice Equitable Sharing payments will resume to local and state law enforcement agencies throughout the Northern District of West Virginia.

The Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program is an initiative through which the Department of Justice distributes an equitable share of forfeited property and proceeds to participating state and local law enforcement agencies that directly participate in an investigation or prosecution that result in a federal forfeiture.

As the result of budget reductions contained in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and the December 2015 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Department of Justice announced that Equitable Sharing payments would be deferred beginning on December 21, 2015. Those payments will resume immediately, beginning with payments that were already being processed when the program was suspended.

“With the suspension of the federal equitable sharing program having been lifted today, millions of dollars that were in the pipeline will now be disbursed to law enforcement agencies in Northern West Virginia,” noted Ihlenfeld.  “The system has been modified to streamline and speed up the process so that payments can be made as soon as possible, and so that the funds can be used to fight crime in our communities.”

Individuals interested in obtaining additional information about the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program are encouraged to visit the Department of Justice website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-afmls/equitable-sharing-program.