Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  A federal jury convicted a Cross Lanes man, Nedeltcho Vladimirov, 53, a native of Bulgaria, of one count of conspiring to commit money laundering and three counts of money laundering after a three-day trial.

Evidence at trial revealed that Vladimirov operated a fraudulent fencing operation - a scheme in which stolen goods were acquired in order to resell them for profit to an unsuspecting buyer. Vladimirov bought the items he resold at a small fraction of the retail cost from individuals addicted to heroin, known in the fencing scheme as “boosters.” Vladimirov met the “boosters” at a gas station in Cross Lanes where he bought new items such as high end vacuum cleaners, tools and other items that he later resold on his eBay account.  The investigation revealed that Vladimirov sold over 7,000 items on his eBay account and had over $550,000 in sales over a three-year period. The “boosters” used the cash provided by Vladimirov for the stolen items to support their drug habits. A federal search warrant executed at Vladimirov’s residence by the United States Secret Service on February 10, 2020, revealed that he had set up cleaning stations used to  remove security devices and labels from boxes so that the stolen items could not be traced.

The jury heard testimony from law enforcement agents with the United States Secret Service regarding the execution of the search warrant at Vladimirov’s residence and his Mirandized statement.  The jury also heard testimony from experts in organized retail fraud investigations who conducted an extensive independent investigation of Vladimirov’s  operation which was later shared with state and federal law enforcement officers.  Several “boosters” testified that they had sold the stolen products to Vladimirov.  The jury also considered the testimony of the defendant.

Vladimirov faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a forfeiture money judgment against him when he is sentenced on November 18, 2021.

“The successful outcome of this case is the result of the outstanding work of the United States Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the South Charleston Police Department, together with the Organized Retail Crimes (ORC) investigators from Kroger, CVS Pharmacy and Target Corporation,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I congratulate all those who worked on this case, including Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Tessman and Erik S. Goes and the rest of the dedicated trial team for bringing this defendant to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting these types of cases and we are working to protect the public from these types of schemes that further the ongoing drug crisis.”

“The Secret Service is dedicated to protecting our nation’s financial institutions and corporations that operate within the Southern District of West Virginia,” said United States Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Robert Pyle.  “We would like to thank the South Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, as well as the Organized Retail Crime (ORC) investigators from Kroger, Target and CVS Pharmacy who made this investigation successful with their dedication and professionalism.”

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the jury trial.   

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00054.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two more defendants were sentenced today for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Mercer County.

Keith Blakely, also known as “Bumpy,” 43 of New York, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, oxymorphone, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Jan Rucker, 29, of McDowell County, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute hydromorphone and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Blakely also forfeited $69,962 in proceeds generated from his drug trafficking activity along with several firearms, while Rucker agreed to forfeit $1,543 and two firearms. Both men previously pleaded guilty to the charges that resulted from a long-term, multi-state investigation known as Operation X-Nation. 

Between August 2017 and August 31, 2019, Blakely was participating in a DTO that was operating in and around Princeton. Law enforcement officers intercepted telephone conversations in which Blakely was discussing the distribution of controlled substances with other members of the drug trafficking operation, including the pricing and quantities of substances to be distributed.  Blakely also made several drug distributions to informants that were cooperating with law enforcement.  On August 30, 2019, law enforcement officers conducted a search of the apartment Blakely was living in near Bluefield and found large quantities of oxymorphone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone pills that he intended to distribute, along with three firearms and approximately $69,962 in cash.  Blakely admitted that the cash was proceeds from his drug trafficking activity and agreed to forfeit the cash and the firearms to the United States.   

Rucker was stopped by law enforcement officers on August 30, 2019, while driving his truck in Princeton.  The officers found approximately 507 hydromorphone pills, $1,543 in cash and two firearms during the traffic stop.  Rucker admitted that he intended to distribute the pills and that he used and carried the firearms during the drug trafficking crime.  As part of the plea agreement, Rucker agreed to forfeit the firearms and the $1,543 that he admitted was proceeds of drug trafficking activity.   

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which is composed of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, the Princeton Police Department and the Bluefield Police Department. 

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:19-cr-00307 (Blakely) and 1:19-cr-00308 (Rucker).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Vincent Williams, 47, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Williams sold approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Hurricane on September 15, 2017 and again on September 18, 2017.  On September 19, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence in Charleston and found approximately 2,266.3 grams of methamphetamine that Williams admitted he intended to distribute.  Law enforcement officers also found a .40 caliber handgun inside Williams’ residence.

Williams faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 18, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-00110.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today for federal gun crimes. Tevin Williams, 27, of Charleston, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams was driving on Rt. 60 in Belle on June 5, 2019 when he was pulled over and removed from the car by law enforcement officers. A K-9 unit alerted to the presence of drugs in the car.  During a search of his car, officers located a Ruger 9mm pistol, ammunition, a small black safe, $2,293 in U.S. currency, over 100 empty plastic baggies and approximately 93 grams of methamphetamine.  Williams admitted he was carrying the firearm to protect his drugs and cash.

On November 6, 2019, Williams traveled to a home in Putnam County and knocked on the door.  After being turned away at the door, Williams turned around and fired three to four shots at the residence and then drove away.  Nine days later on November 15, 2019, Williams was driving in South Charleston when he was pulled over and removed from the car by law enforcement officers. At that time, he was wearing two shoulder holsters.  Officers located two firearms under the front seat of the car, both of which were Hi Point 9mm pistols.  Williams is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of his 2013 first degree robbery conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court.  The pistols seized from Williams on November 15 were examined at the West Virginia State Police Laboratory and one of those pistols was identified as matching one of the shell casings recovered by law enforcement from the Putnam County residence on November 6, 2019.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the South Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Belle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:21-cr-00038 and 2:20-cr-00048.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime. Christa Dawn Ravenscroft, 44, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed search warrants on March 8, 2019 at a residence on Baer Street in Huntington after law enforcement received multiple reports of drug sales and drug activity at that location. A search of the residence found approximately 1.55 grams of  methamphetamine along with multiple ledgers and a digital scale. In a Mirandized interview, Ravenscroft admitted to selling drugs to support her own habit. The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the substance as methamphetamine.

Ravenscroft faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on October 25, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.  

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00181.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Jonathan Baker, 36, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on March 2, 2021 at an apartment on 26th Street in Huntington.  During a search of the residence, officers found a firearm on top of a nightstand.   Baker admitted to officers that he had possessed the firearm and he knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearm because of a 2011 felony drug conviction in Bibb County, Georgia.

Baker faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 25, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00056.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Detroit woman who was caught in Wayne County with oxycodone in 2016 was sentenced today to three years in federal prison.  Tuniesia Monique Adams, 43, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.  

According to court documents, Adams admitted that on November 29, 2016, she transported 382 30mg oxycodone pills from Detroit to Fort Gay, Wayne County, where she intended to sell the pills with the help of another individual.  When Adams met with the individual, they were approached by investigators who discovered and seized the pills.  Adams admitted that she intended to sell the oxycodone pills and that she had made previous trips from Detroit to sell pills in Wayne County. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-00059.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Reese Inman, 39, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on October 16, 2019 at a residence on Dempsie Avenue in Parkersburg. Inman was located in the living room and a loaded .22 Rohm revolver and a quantity of heroin were nearby.  In their search, officers located a total of between 14 and 15 grams of heroin, a Chiappa .22 revolver and ammunition, an iPad that was payment for heroin Inman had sold, a black digital scale, $384 in U.S. currency and some marijuana.  Inman was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to be interviewed.  In that interview, Inman admitted that he had been selling heroin in Wood County and that he intended to distribute the heroin in his possession to others.

Inman pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 28, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force and the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00090.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A New York man was sentenced today to 186 months in federal prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Mercer County. James Walker, 43, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, oxymorphone, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Walker was charged as a result of a long-term, multi-state investigation known as Operation X-Nation. Walker also forfeited $150,000 in proceeds generated from his drug trafficking activity. 

Between August 2017 and August 31, 2019, Walker worked with other members of a DTO to distribute prescription pills and cocaine in and around Mercer County. More specifically, Walker facilitated drug transactions with confidential informants working with law enforcement. Walker would then direct the informants to one of several trailers he owned in different trailer parks in Mercer County. Once the informants arrived at the trailer park, Walker would then direct them to meet with a particular member of the DTO to purchase the drugs. Walker and other members of the DTO also had telephone calls intercepted by law enforcement. In these calls Walker and others were discussing drug transactions including the pricing and quantities of different substances. Walker further admitted that he was arrested in New York after having calls intercepted by law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Walker was in possession of approximately 1,500 prescription pills that he intended to distribute. Walker also was arrested in Princeton on January 10, 2020. and at that time, he was driving a car that had a hidden mechanical trap that was used to transport controlled substances. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which is composed of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, the Princeton Police Department and the Bluefield Police Department. 

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-00307.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David Wayne Watson, 37, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime.  A federal grand jury indicted Watson in August 2020.

According to statements made in court, officers with the Charleston Police Department responded to a call for shots fired near the Go-Mart in North Charleston in November 2019. Watson was outside an apartment building nearby. Officers made contact with him, and Watson agreed to let the officers inside the building to check the welfare of the residents. While walking up the stairs, an officer observed a firearm in Watson’s pocket. Watson admitted that he was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of his prior felony convictions for aggravated robbery and fleeing from police causing injury.

Watson pleaded guilty to possession of  a firearm by a felon and faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on October 19, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00141.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Johnny Ray Francis III, 20, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, Francis possessed a plastic baggie containing suspected heroin and a Glock 23 .40 caliber 9mm pistol in a residence on 26th Street in Huntington on June 12, 2019.  After laboratory testing, the substance possessed by Francis was determined to be approximately 8 grams of heroin.  Francis admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin and that he possessed the firearm for the purpose of protecting himself and the heroin. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.  Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00258.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men were sentenced to federal prison today for federal gun crimes.

Jalen Chapman, 28, of Charleston, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, officers with the Charleston Police Department arrested Chapman on an outstanding warrant at a residence on Barber Drive in Charleston on or about September 29, 2018.  Officers later searched the residence and seized two firearms, a .45 caliber Sig Sauer 1911 pistol and a .38 Special Taurus revolver.  Chapman admitted that the firearms belonged to him and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearms because he was previously convicted of a felony drug trafficking offense in Kanawha County Circuit Court.  Officers also seized approximately 368 grams of methamphetamine and over 20 grams of cocaine base from a grill located outside the home. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution.

In a separate case, Jamaile Huey, 43, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced to 80 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Huey will serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his federal prison sentence. According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about January 8, 2021, members of the Huntington Police Department SWAT Team executed a search warrant for the person of Jamaile Huey at an apartment on Bridge Street in Huntington. During the execution of the warrant, Huey was located in the apartment and placed into custody. During a search of the apartment, a loaded Glock, model 17, 9mm pistol, was located in the nightstand in the room that Huey had been observed coming from when apprehended by the SWAT team. A loaded high-capacity magazine for the Glock pistol was also located in the same room.  At the time he possessed the firearm, Huey had three previous felony convictions. The Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Cremeans and Greg McVey handled the prosecution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department and the Huntington Police Department.

These cases were prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:19-cr-00058 (Chapman) and . 3:21-cr-00030 (Huey).

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rafael Starks, 36, of Michigan, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Starks admitted that on August 1, 2018, he and another individual sold heroin to a confidential informant in the 1100 block of 9th Avenue in Huntington.  

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department. 

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-00249.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Huntington man caught with crack cocaine last year in his residence was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison.  Daniel Legette, 45, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack.”  Legette was on supervised release at the time of the offense for a prior federal drug conviction and was sentenced to an additional 12 months and one day in federal prison after his release was revoked.  The sentences were ordered to run consecutively for a total sentence of 90 months and one day.        

According to court documents, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant on November 12, 2020 at Legette’s residence located on Oakland Avenue in Huntington.  During the search, officers seized approximately 100 individually wrapped bags of crack cocaine totaling approximately 23 grams.  Officers also seized additional quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and a rifle.  Legette admitted that he possessed and intended to distribute all of the drugs seized by police.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.  Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00007.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Frederick Coleman, 32, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Huntington on February 13, 2020.  Inside one of the bedrooms, officers recovered approximately 2.31 grams of heroin and approximately 20.99 grams of cocaine.  Coleman admitted that he possessed the heroin and intended to distribute it.

Coleman pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force. 

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00171.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pleaded guilty today to an escape charge. Jeremy Midkiff, 39, pleaded guilty to walking away from a halfway house last year.

Midkiff admitted that in October 2020, he left Dismas Charities, Inc., a Bureau of Prisons residential reentry facility, without permission and did not return. He had been confined at Dismas because of a previous federal drug trafficking conviction.

Midkiff faces up to five years imprisonment when sentenced on November 10, 2020.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Senior United States District Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Negar Kordestani is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00083.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman who took part in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2019 was sentenced today to 10 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.  Kathryn Elizabeth Casto, 35, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

According to court documents, Casto admitted that, between April and September of 2019, she conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine.  During the conspiracy, Casto repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron, Ohio to various locations in West Virginia.  Casto would in turn supply other drug dealers with methamphetamine that would be sold in the Huntington and Charleston areas.  Casto admitted that she was aware some of her customers intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00245.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Jorge Amador, a federal inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at McDowell, pleaded guilty today to possessing a handcrafted weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” 

According to court documents, on August 13, 2020, Amador possessed a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank.” During a search of Amador, a staff member from FCI McDowell found the shank, which was a piece of metal approximately 7 ½ inches in length, sharpened to a point at one end, with thread tied around the other end to form a handle.  Amador admitted to staff members that he did possess the handcrafted weapon.  Amador also admitted that the shank was designed and intended to be used as a weapon.

Amador faces up to five years in prison, to be served consecutively to the sentence he is now serving, when he is sentenced on October 25, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is handling the prosecution.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-00082.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rebecca F. Bragg, 37, pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits.

According to court documents, in June 2016, at the time of a major flood, Bragg resided in a home in Procious, Clay County, that was owned by her husband’s parents.  On June 26, 2016, Bragg applied to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for both personal and rental assistance for the Procious residence.  As a result of her application for rental assistance, Bragg received $2,472 from FEMA.  FEMA initially deemed Bragg ineligible for home repair assistance because she had not proven she owned the home at the time of the flood.  On July 20, 2016, through her previous employer, Bragg applied for and obtained home insurance for the Procious residence, wherein she falsely claimed she was the home owner. On August 9, 2016, from her previous employer’s office in Spencer, Roane County, Bragg faxed to FEMA the home insurance policy that listed her as the property owner. As a result of Bragg’s false statements and misrepresentations, she received $4,900.85 in home repair benefits from FEMA.

Bragg faces up to 30 years in prison when she is sentenced on October 28, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson is handling the prosecution. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00103.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to federal firearm and drug charges.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about December 1, 2019, Ryan Ashley Williams, 35, was arrested by law enforcement officers at an apartment on Hall Street in Parkersburg.  Officers found approximately 40 grams of a mixture containing carfentanil, fentanyl and heroin on Williams, as well as keys to a safe.  Within the safe, officers located approximately eight grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin, along with a semi-automatic pistol.  Williams admitted that he intended to distribute the drugs to another person and that he knew he had been previously convicted of the felony offense of first degree robbery with a firearm specification in Wood County Circuit Court, which prohibited him from possessing firearms.       

Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute carfentanil, fentanyl and heroin and to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on September 30, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00091.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- James Arnold Scott, 45, of Hansford, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to his own statements and court documents, on January 17, 2020, Scott aided and abetted one of his drug sources of supply in the distribution of four ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $1,150.  The drug transaction took place in Huntington.  Scott further admitted that when law enforcement later executed a search warrant at his Hansford residence they seized cash, marijuana, methamphetamine, four firearms, one of which was stolen, and a ballistic vest.

Scott faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 12, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Negar Kordestani is handling the prosecution. 

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00078.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime. 

On February 25, 2019, Maurice Lavelle Miller, Jr., 31, sold approximately one gram of heroin to a confidential informant at a residence on Davis Street in Huntington.

Miller pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and faces a up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on October 12, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI’s Southern West Virginia Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) West Task Force.  

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00155.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime. Jaishawn Harris, 19, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on March 11, 2021, law enforcement officers were conducting criminal interdiction and surveillance at a motel on Route 60 for possible drug activity. The officers observed numerous individuals associated with at least two different rooms interacting with each other. During the surveillance, officers observed a gold Honda pull up to the hotel room. An unknown black male, later identified as Harris, exited a room with a female and placed a bag in the trunk. Officers following the vehicle attempted a traffic stop, however, the Honda failed to stop.  Eventually, Harris fled from the Honda on foot and was apprehended shortly thereafter.  Law enforcement officers searched the Honda and found approximately nine grams of fentanyl in the bag that Harris had placed in the trunk.

Harris faces up to 20 years imprisonment when sentenced on October 12, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Violent Crime Drug Task Force, the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00059.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Charleston woman who conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in 2018 and 2019 was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison. 

According to court documents, between the fall of 2018 and September 2019, Melanie Lynne Curnutte, 58, conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington and Charleston areas.  During the conspiracy, Curnutte repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington.  Curnutte relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and Curnutte would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers.  Curnutte admitted that she was aware that some of her customers intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),  the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00245.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three individuals appeared in federal court today for gun crimes. 

Eddie Lee Conley, 45, of Logan County, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  According to court documents, Conley admitted that during the early morning hours of May 15, 2020, he possessed a .38 caliber Cobra derringer-style handgun in his motel room at the Roadway Inn in Chapmanville, West Virginia.  Conley was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 conviction for conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory in Logan County Circuit Court. Conley further admitted that he also possessed a different .38 caliber handgun in Madison, West Virginia, on January 29, 2020. The West Virginia State Police and Madison Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).   Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich is handling the prosecution.

In another case, John Leach, 55, formerly of St. Albans, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  According to court documents, on November 25, 2018, Leach was driving an improperly registered truck and was pulled over by the West Virginia State Police. In the truck, the Trooper found a loaded .25 caliber pistol. Leach was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple, prior felony convictions, including a 2006 conviction for malicious wounding in Kanawha County Circuit Court.  The West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew handled the prosecution.

Also, Kayla Slater, 29, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to court documents, on August 27, 2020, officers with the Charleston Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Slater was a passenger. Officers knew that Slater had several outstanding municipal arrest warrants.  The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and sped away from the scene.  Officers later located Slater walking on Beech Avenue in Charleston and could see a Beretta Px4 Storm 9mm semi-automatic pistol in plain view in Slater’s handbag.  Slater admitted to the officers that the gun was hers and that she was addicted to heroin.  Slater is prohibited from possessing firearms due to being an habitual user of a  controlled substance.  Slater faces up to 10 years in prison when she is sentenced on October 14, 2021.  The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Negar Kordestani is handling the prosecution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police, the Madison Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00172 (Leach), 2:21-cr-00035 (Conley) and 2:21-cr-00079 (Slater).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man pleaded guilty today to a federal child pornography crime. 

According to court documents, Gregory Weymes, 58, of Ridgeview, admitted that on February 23, 2021 he possessed child pornography on his cell phone. After receiving a cybertip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement investigators obtained a search warrant for Weymes’ residence. While executing the search warrant, investigators seized the cell phone from Weymes. In an interview, Weymes admitted that he used various social media platforms, including MeWe, to view and trade child pornography and that investigators would find child pornography on his phone. A forensic review of Weymes’ cell phone uncovered numerous videos depicting child pornography on the device.  

Weymes pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 14, 2021. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00080.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County man pleaded guilty today to two federal gun crimes.

According to court documents, Clifford Lee Griffin, 38, of Bruno, admitted that on the evening of September 30, 2019, members of the West Virginia State Police executed a search warrant at a residence in the Gilman Bottom area of Logan County where he had been selling drugs. Troopers arrested Griffin and recovered two loaded handguns, over 75 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of heroin.  Griffin admitted that he possessed the guns to protect his drugs and money.

Griffin pleaded guilty to possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of firearms. He faces up to life in prison when sentenced on October 4, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00163.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 10, 2017, Drema Setliff, 37, sold a fentanyl and heroin mixture to an individual in South Charleston which resulted in the individual dying from a drug overdose.    

Setliff pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and fentanyl and faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced on September 29, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Charleston Police Department.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica Coleman is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00077.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Antoine Louis, 37, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and eight months in prison, to run consecutively, for violating his supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Louis was stopped by law enforcement in St. Albans on October 19, 2020. A police K-9 alerted to the presence of controlled substances and Louis admitted to officers that he had hidden controlled substances on his person.  Louis also gave his consent for law enforcement officers to search his residence. During the search of Louis’ home, law enforcement officers located two firearms, six rounds of ammunition, approximately 27.1 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 47.3 grams of heroin.  At that time, Louis was on supervised release for a previous federal drug conviction.   Louis also admitted that on October 6, 2020, he sold over five grams of heroin to a confidential informant that was working with law enforcement.  

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:20-cr-00195 and 3:11-00049-01.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today that Jawed Ali Khan Sherwani, Beckley Pharmacy and Bee Well Pharmacy have agreed to pay $300,000 in civil monetary penalties to resolve allegations that the pharmacies violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by filling illegitimate prescriptions.  Beckley Pharmacy has two locations in the Beckley, West Virginia area.  Bee Well Pharmacy is located in South Charleston, West Virginia. Sherwani is a pharmacist who owns and operates the pharmacies. The settlement provides that from on or about March 1, 2015 to in or about March 2020, both Beckley Pharmacy locations and Bee Well Pharmacy violated the CSA by filling prescriptions the pharmacies knew or should have known were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose. Bee Well Pharmacy also agreed to surrender its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration which will result in the pharmacy being unable to fill prescriptions for controlled substances. As part of the settlement, Beckley Pharmacy has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with DEA which imposes heightened regulatory and reporting obligations but will allow both Beckley Pharmacy locations to retain their respective DEA registrations. The CSA prohibits the distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance without a valid prescription.  A valid prescription for a controlled substance must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her practice. Based on the investigation, the United States maintains that the pharmacists at the Beckley Pharmacy locations and Bee Well Pharmacy knew or had reason to know that patients had presented illegitimate prescriptions that should not have been filled. 

“There has been a tremendous amount of damage caused by prescription drug abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “In response, we have made it a priority to target different components of the opioid supply chain for their contributing roles to the crisis. Pharmacies must keep accurate records and maintain strong controls when handling controlled substances.  Those that fail to do so open the door to the potential diversion of drugs, the illegal distribution, and abuse of these drugs.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Alan G. McGonigal and Gregory P. Neil handled the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Group and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) investigated the case. 

Congress passed the CSA to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications.  Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer or sell controlled substances must comply with strict inventory and documentation requirements. Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed or otherwise disposed of by the registrant for two years.  These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting and distribution of controlled substances.

The settlement is a result of the United States Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Abuse, Recovery and Response Team (ARREST), an innovative approach linking civil and criminal enforcement efforts together in a comprehensive attack on the opioid epidemic and healthcare fraud. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Michael Stanley Wright, 34, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to court documents, on March 4, 2020, law enforcement officers searched Wright’s house located on Washington Avenue in Huntington and seized approximately 194.3 grams of methamphetamine mixture and approximately 4.7 grams of fentanyl. Wright also had methamphetamine and fentanyl on his person when he was searched following his arrest. In addition to the controlled substances, law enforcement officers also seized two firearms - a Colt, Model CF1911, .45 caliber pistol and a Taurus, “Judge” .45/.410 revolver – and approximately $5,536 in cash, which was money Wright had made from selling drugs. Wright admitted that he intended to sell the fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Cremeans and Greg McVey handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00103.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for a federal drug crime. Aaron Howell, 46, previously pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Howell previously admitted that on November 12, 2020, he was being transported to the Huntington Police Department and removed heroin and methamphetamine from his person and left it in the back of the police cruiser.  

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00006.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Shawn E. Gilkerson, 40, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, from at least December 2018, to on or about October 15, 2020, Gilkerson worked with other persons to sell heroin in Huntington. At first, Gilkerson and Lynndell Nicola Boling ran drugs to customers for their source of supply. Later, they began meeting a drug runner at the Greyhound bus station who was working for their source. The runner would provide them with approximately 500 grams to 800 grams of heroin to sell. Gilkerson and Boling received heroin in this manner several times. During a search of their residence, law enforcement officers seized over 300 grams of heroin and $17,960 in cash that was made from selling heroin. A Ruger 9-millimeter pistol seized during that search was used by Gilkerson to protect the heroin and drug proceeds.  Boling pleaded guilty earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing.

Gilkerson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on September 27, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00188.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge.

According to court documents, on October 14, 2020, Cecil Monroe Bowman, 66, was pulled over by the West Virginia State Police.  After giving Troopers consent to search his vehicle, Troopers found 23 grams of heroin under the driver’s seat.  Bowman admitted he intended to sell the heroin. 

Bowman pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on September 27, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West and the West Virginia State Police.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00081.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman pleaded guilty today to distributing methamphetamine while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction. 

According to court documents, Tiffany Shaffer, 32, admitted that on October 5, 2020, she distributed 53.88 grams of pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant in return for $1500 in United States currency. Shaffer also admitted, as part of her relevant conduct of ongoing drug dealing, that she distributed methamphetamine several other times in September, October, and December 2020, in and around the Dunbar area. Shaffer conducted the recent drug sales while on supervised release for a 2017 federal conviction on a firearms charge for which she was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. 

Shaffer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison when she is sentenced on September 22, 2021. She also faces consecutive prison time as a result of violating her supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00076.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Hinton man pleaded guilty today to a federal child pornography charge – his second federal child pornography conviction in seven years.

According to court documents, David Alan Hunt, 39, admitted that on January 22, 2021, he possessed child pornography of prepubescent minors on an iPad at his residence in Hinton. Hunt also admitted that at the time he possessed the child pornography, he was on supervised release for a 2014 federal child pornography conviction. Hunt’s supervising United States Probation Officer recovered the iPad containing the child pornography during a home visit.

Hunt faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2021. He also faces consecutive prison time as a result of violating his supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Probation Office.

United States District Court Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin F. Scott and Jennifer Rada Herrald are handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00075.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Walker, 41, of Craigsville, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime.  A federal grand jury indicted Walker in February 2021.

According to statements made in court, in August 2019, an officer with the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department arrived at Walker’s residence in response to a domestic battery in progress call. Two witnesses informed the officer that Walker had gotten into an altercation and threw an object at his girlfriend that missed her and struck a juvenile. Walker then assaulted the juvenile by choking him with both hands and later striking the juvenile in the face. Walker, who had a prior conviction for domestic battery of a household member, was arrested at the scene for domestic battery of the juvenile. A search warrant was executed and a loaded firearm was located inside the residence where the altercation occurred.

Walker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on October 7, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation and received assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Tessman is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00018.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Columbus, Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about October 2018 until November 2019, Lewis Von Burks, Jr., 51, was selling black tar heroin to several individuals from Jackson County, West Virginia, and elsewhere.  These individuals were regularly travelling to Columbus in order to meet Burks and complete the transactions.  Burks had knowledge at the time that several of the individuals were taking the heroin back to Jackson County, and that at least one of the individuals was re-selling the heroin in Jackson County.  During the period of the conspiracy, at least 100 grams of black tar heroin were re-sold within Jackson County.   

Burks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on October 7, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00114.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents, on June 12, 2019, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at locations on 26th and 27th Streets in Huntington pursuant to a shooting investigation. Inside the 26th Street residence officers located Jacob Benjamin Loper, 20, a baggie of 7.9 grams of heroin as confirmed by the DEA Laboratory and digital scales. Loper admitted that his fingerprints would be on the baggie of heroin and that he had possessed it at the 27th Street residence.

Loper pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and he faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on September 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.  

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Keefe and Stephanie S. Taylor are handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00106.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man pleaded guilty today to a child pornography charge.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Steven Alfred Bennett, 56, of Montgomery, admitted that in October 2020, he contacted a woman via Craigslist who was allegedly located in Beckley, West Virginia. During those conversations, he arranged to meet the woman in Beckley and to pay $150 to engage in sexual activity with an 11-year-old girl that the woman had stated was her daughter. However, Bennett did not meet at the arranged time after he saw a local news story about a man getting arrested for responding to the same Craigslist ad. A subsequent search of Bennett’s home found computers that contained suspected child pornography, including an image of a prepubescent female he had received via a Skype conversation in 2016.    

Bennett pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and faces at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is handling the prosecution.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00020.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Anthony Tevan Tyner, 24, was sentenced today to 26 months in prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, on August 29, 2019, law enforcement officers were conducting an investigation into the purchases of multiple firearms that led them to a Huntington address where Tyner lived.  Tyner admitted to law enforcement that he was a daily user of marijuana.  Tyner also admitted that in a nearby vehicle he had in his possession a loaded I.O. Inc. model 10-15, multi-caliber rifle. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.  

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00259.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents, on January 19, 2021, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance on a residence on 8th Street in Huntington in order to locate Christopher Michael Adkins, 37, who had warrants out for his arrest.  When Adkins left the residence, a traffic stop was conducted and officers located 29.8 grams of suspected heroin, 21.3 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales and multiple cell phones in Adkins’ vehicle.  Adkins admitted that the items in the vehicle were his.

Adkins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on September 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00031.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.  

Pursuant to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on January 9, 2020, Greg Anthony Waters, Jr., 27, sold approximately 3.5 grams of heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement.  Waters admitted to meeting the informant in Beckley to sell the drugs.  Waters also admitted to selling heroin and fentanyl on several other occasions between January 9, 2020 and September 18, 2020. As further part of the plea, Waters agreed to abandon to the United States and the State of West Virginia multiple firearms that were recovered by law enforcement during a search of Waters’ apartment.  Waters admitted that he was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to a prior felony conviction in Illinois.

Waters pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and he faces up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced on October 18, 2021.   

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which is comprised of officers from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution.  United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00012.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Two men were sentenced to prison today for federal gun crimes. 

Jonathan Fields, 38, of Fayette County was sentenced to 78 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. According to court documents, Fields admitted that during the early morning hours of November 6 and 7, 2019, he was illegally hunting deer in Nicholas County and shot two deer without a license and out of season. While doing so, he possessed two rifles: a Bushmaster Firearms 5.56 caliber rifle with a 30-round capacity magazine; and a Remington .243 caliber rifle. On November 12, 2019, Fields left the two firearms at the home of a friend in Summersville where they were later recovered by law enforcement officers with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  Fields admitted that he knew he had a 2013 felony conviction in Nicholas County Circuit Court for voluntary manslaughter and was prohibited from possessing the firearms. The West Virginia DNR conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich handled the prosecution.

Derrick Clark, 30, of Greensboro, North Carolina, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms.  According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Clark admitted that on April 13, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his Cross Lanes residence and found three handguns:  a semi-automatic 9mm Taurus; a .32 caliber semi-automatic Savage; and a 9mm semi-automatic C9 Highpoint.  Officers also located assorted ammunition inside Clark’s residence. Clark admitted that he knew he had a 2013 conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court for fleeing in a vehicle with reckless indifference to the safety of others and was prohibited from possessing the firearms.  The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration  (DEA) conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia DNR, the ATF, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:20-cr-00128 (Fields) and 2:18-cr-00103(Clark).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia launched a public messaging campaign today in conjunction with the observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), announced Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.

A video entitled “Financial Scams -- Deceit and Devastation” is accessible through the office website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv. Additional messages will soon be broadcast on radio and television stations throughout the district. 

The outreach campaign is designed as part of the District’s Elder Justice Initiative (EJI) to highlight various types of schemes that individuals are using to target older Americans and warns the elderly and their family members to be on guard.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to both preventing and prosecuting fraud on our seniors through outreach and enforcement. Raising public awareness is an important step in preventing potential victims from engaging and falling victim to fraudsters.

For more information about the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative (EJI), please go to https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps.  Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis.  Reporting is the first step.  Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses.  The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.   

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County woman was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.   

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Raechel Cooper, 30, admitted that on April 9, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at her East Bank residence and found Cooper in her vehicle along with eight bags of methamphetamine hidden in a hollowed-out teddy bear.  Officers found an additional amount of methamphetamine inside Cooper’s residence.  In total, Cooper was found to be in possession of over 350 grams of methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00036.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston couple pleaded guilty this week to federal gun and drug charges. Larry James Williams, 66, and Mary Ann Coon, 44, were indicted on the charges in August 2020.

According to court documents, during a traffic stop conducted on MacCorkle Avenue in the early morning hours of May 8, 2020, law enforcement officers found Williams and Coon to be in possession of seven firearms, as well as large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies and $3,882 in U.S. currency. Williams admitted that he and Coon possessed over 79 grams of methamphetamine, nine grams of heroin, acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl mix and over six grams of a methamphetamine and fentanyl mixture with the intent to distribute those controlled substances. Williams pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute those substances, as well as being a felon in possession of firearms and faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on September 13, 2021.

Coon admitted that she intended to distribute the controlled substances found in the vehicle on May 8, 2020. Coon admitted that she possessed multiple firearms to protect herself, the drugs and the drug proceeds. She pleaded guilty to using and carrying firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Coon faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison when she is sentenced on September 13, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearings.  Assistant United States Attorneys Julie White and Greg McVey are handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00129 (Williams, et al.).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Lamont Thomas, 42, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin.

According to court documents, Thomas traveled from Detroit to Charleston by Greyhound bus on May 14, 2020.  After leaving the Greyhound Bus Station, the vehicle in which Thomas was a passenger was stopped by officers with the Charleston Police Department. When a drug K-9 alerted on Thomas’s backpack, officers searched it and found approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 61 grams of suspected heroin.  Thomas admitted that the drugs were his and that he intended to distribute the controlled substances.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica Coleman handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00198.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A federal jury convicted an Upshur County man yesterday of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. George Albert Romer, Jr., 63, of Buckhannon was charged by a single-count Indictment in November 2019.

Evidence at trial revealed that on October 31, 2019, Romer began communicating via a dating application with a person he understood to be a 15-year-old girl in Lewisburg, West Virginia. During the messages, Romer offered to pay the girl $100 to engage in sexual intercourse. On November 1, 2019, Romer drove from Buckhannon to Lewisburg and rented a hotel room in order to meet the minor. He was placed under arrest shortly thereafter.

Romer faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2021. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.  

“The work of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is critical in our efforts to combat child sexual exploitation,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “I congratulate all those who worked on this case, including Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Courtney Cremeans, and the rest of the trial team for bringing this sex offender to justice.” 

The Honorable United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the trial. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00293.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Foster Allen Ray, 71, of Gandeeville pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 9, 2020, Ray shot a loaded Savage Model 99 300 caliber level action rifle at two individuals in a vehicle stopped near his residence in Gandeeville, West Virginia.  Ray is prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions in Roane County Circuit Court for unlawful assault and child abuse by a custodian resulting in injury.

Ray pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on September 23, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigation work of the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00024.

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