Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Charleston men that were arrested on criminal complaints in February 2021 pleaded guilty today to federal gun charges.

According to court documents, Devonte Lavauhn Andrews, 28, was stopped by officers with the Charleston Police Department on January 24, 2021 while walking on Hale Street. At the time, Andrews had a Taurus PT 738 .380 ACP loaded firearm behind his back.  Andrews has a 2016 federal felony conviction for distribution of heroin and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Also according to court documents, on February 10, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Charleston residence of William Edward Byers II, 44, and located five firearms. Byers is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 felony conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court for conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.

Andrews and Byers both pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and are scheduled to be sentenced on July 22 and July 21, 2021, respectively. Each faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston of the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The long-term investigation, dubbed the “Woo Boyz,” resulted in federal charges against 15 individuals and was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police. The Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) provided critical support to the investigative agencies.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearings.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is prosecuting the cases.

The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

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-00046 (Andrews) and 2:21-cr-00047 (Byers).

 

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for gun and drug crimes including distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, Rahmell Rashaad Thomas, 32, sold approximately four ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant from his residence in Charleston on March 5, 2020.  Shortly after that transaction, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for the same residence and conducted a search.  Approximately 341 additional grams of methamphetamine were located inside along with a Lorcin .380 semi-automatic pistol and United States currency.  Thomas later admitted to possessing those items, and to selling methamphetamine in the Charleston area for at least three months prior to his arrest.  He admitted to obtaining methamphetamine in one pound increments from a source in Morgantown which he would then bring back to Charleston to sell.  Thomas has a prior felony conviction in the state of New York for attempted assault in the second degree which prohibits him from possessing firearms. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement and commended the work of the  Charleston Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Marshals Service.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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-00074.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A St. Albans man pleaded guilty today to federal drug and gun crimes.

According to court documents, Ricky Lee Clark, Sr., 53, admitted that on July 2, 2019, a member of the St. Albans Police Department pulled over his truck, which was being driven by a woman, but in which he was the passenger. Clark admitted that handgun ammunition was recovered from the truck and he had approximately thirteen grams of methamphetamine in his pocket. Clark also admitted that pursuant to the execution of a search warrant at his residence, the police recovered six firearms later that day. Clark is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of a prior felony conviction for conspiring to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.

Clark pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of firearms and being a felon in possession of ammunition. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2021 and faces up to 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston of the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The St. Albans Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Marshals Service.  United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin 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. 2:21-cr-00034.

 

 

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two defendants pleaded guilty to federal drug charges today before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Travis Lee Cloninger, 30, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Cloninger’s Wayne County home on June 5, 2019 and seized 340 grams of methamphetamine and 453 grams of heroin.  Cloninger admitted that he intended to sell the methamphetamine and heroin.  Cloninger faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 19, 2021. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.

In a separate case, Tuniesia Monique Adams, 43, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.  Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2017. According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on November 29, 2016 Adams transported 382 30mg oxycodone pills from Detroit to Fort Gay in 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 law enforcement officers who discovered and seized the pills.  Adams admitted that she intended to sell the pills and that she had made previous trips from Detroit to sell pills in Wayne County.  Adams faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 19, 2021.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation with assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and the Huntington Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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 Nos. 3:21-cr-00044 (Cloninger) and 3:17-cr-00059 (Adams).

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Keith Morris, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearms and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl.  Morris was charged in a Superseding Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in November 2020.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on or about January 23, 2020, after responding to a two-vehicle crash in Charleston, officers with the Charleston Police Department (CPD) located 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a loaded Glock, model 26, 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Morris’s car.  In addition, on or about August 7, 2020, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) seized 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a loaded SCCY CPX-1 9mm caliber from Morris’s car after conducting a traffic stop in Charleston. Morris admitted he intended to distribute the controlled substances that had been seized from him. Morris further admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he previously had been convicted of the felony offenses of attempted murder and wanton endangerment with a firearm in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Morris faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on July 19, 2021.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. 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. 2:20-cr-00167.

 

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HURRICANE, W.Va. – Shea Owen Marsh, 32, of Hurricane, pleaded guilty today to possessing child pornography. Marsh was charged in a single-count Information in April 2021. Marsh was previously indicted last August for possessing child pornography.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Marsh downloaded videos and images of child pornography onto his cell phone several times while at his residence in Hurricane.

Marsh faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 19, 2021.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott 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. 3:20-cr-00126 and 3:21-cr-00043.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Adam Matthew Denson, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Denson was charged in a single-count Information in March 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Denson conspired with other persons to distribute methamphetamine on three separate occasions in Charleston in August 2019.

Denson faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on July 14, 2021.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. 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-00040.

 

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jalen Chapman, 28, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Chapman was charged in a Superseding Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in December 2019.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on or about September 29, 2018, officers with the Charleston Police Department arrested Chapman on outstanding warrants at a residence on Barber Drive in Charleston.  Officers later searched the residence and seized two firearms, a .45 caliber Sig Sauer 1911 pistol and a .38 Special Taurus revolver, that Chapman admitted belonged to him.  Chapman further admitted 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.

Chapman faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on July 12, 2021.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. 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. 2:19-cr-00058.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Brian Jacob Taylor, 34, of Mount Lookout, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  A federal grand jury indicted Taylor in February 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an officer with the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department arrived at Taylor’s residence to serve Taylor with a warrant for his arrest concerning an unrelated charge. Taylor asked the officer if he could put a shirt on and secure his dog before being transported to the police station. While inside Taylor’s residence, the officer observed a loaded shotgun and marijuana in plain view. Later that same day, officers obtained and executed a search warrant for Taylor’s residence and located two loaded firearms as well as several controlled substances, including methamphetamine, a heroin-fentanyl mixture and marijuana. Taylor was prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of a prior felony conviction in the Circuit Court of Nicholas County for delivery of a controlled substance. 

Taylor faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on July 26, 2021.

The Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation with assistance from 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 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-00019.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge. Terrindez Xsidrick Bryant, 36, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

On June 24, 2019, law enforcement officers coordinated a controlled buy at a residence in Verdunville. Bryant came to the residence where he sold approximately 25.5 grams of methamphetamine.

Bryant faces a minimum of five years in prison when sentenced on July 26, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston commended the investigative efforts of the West Virginia State Police and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.  

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber 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. 2:19-cr-00244.

 

 

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Several local businesses defrauded of over $500,000

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Misty Brotherton-Tanner, 41, of Charleston entered a guilty plea in federal court to two felony counts of wire fraud and one felony count of money laundering.  She faces up to 50 years in prison, a $750,000 fine and three years of supervised release when she is sentenced on July 15, 2021.  Brotherton-Tanner has also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $537,173.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Misty Brotherton-Tanner provided bookkeeping and accounting services for several local businesses in the Charleston area.  From at least 2014 until 2020, Misty Brotherton-Tanner devised a scheme to defraud these businesses.  Brotherton-Tanner would electronically transfer money and move the electronic transactions between accounts in such a way so as to hide her fraud under the guise of legitimate transactions   Brotherton-Tanner was not permitted to pay herself from these business accounts.  Brotherton-Tanner’s fraud included listing herself as an employee for the various businesses, setting up fraudulent accounts in the name of fictional workers that Brotherton-Tanner would then add to the business accounting software, and even misrepresenting that she had paid state and federal taxes for the business when she had not done so. All throughout the scheme, Brotherton-Tanner moved the transferred money into her personal checking accounts. In total, Misty Brotherton-Tanner defrauded various businesses of $537,173.

Misty Brotherton-Tanner also stole money on behalf of and at the request of her mother, Lois Brotherton, who also has entered a guilty plea in federal court for her role in the scheme.  Lois Brotherton will be sentenced April 28, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the West Virginia State Tax Department-Criminal Investigation Division for their excellent work in this case.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the guilty plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Kathleen Robeson 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-00146.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christopher Ryan Christian Counts, 29, of Charleston, was sentenced to 204 months in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release for possession of child pornography.  Counts pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2020.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Counts possessed 259 images and 14 videos of child pornography, many of which depicted prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Some of the images and videos contained scenes depicting minors and infants engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct.  Counts has two prior sex offense convictions in Kanawha County Circuit Court involving young children.

Acting Lisa G. Johnston applauded the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Task Force Officer Michelle Shaffer coordinated the investigation and Counts’ arrest. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White handled the prosecution.

These cases were 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. 2:20-cr-00130.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Columbus, Ohio man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Rashawn Akmed Miller, 37, was one of 14 defendants charged as a result of a long-term investigation known as “Second Wave,” which dismantled a poly-drug network operating in Kanawha and Fayette counties.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Miller brokered a deal between a Columbus, Ohio supplier and Jason Michael Terrell along with Roger Jarea Drake.  Terrell and Drake traveled from Kanawha County to Columbus where Miller introduced them to the supplier who sold them approximately two pounds of methamphetamine.  Terrell and Drake returned to West Virginia where they distributed the methamphetamine.

Miller faces between five and forty years in prison when he is sentenced on July 27, 2021.

Other defendants, including Carol Belton, Jimmie Coleman, Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr., Sammy Joe Fragale II, Larry Martin, and Jason Terrell have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Gregory Woods was sentenced to 184 months in federal prison on February 8, 2021.  Steven Matthew Bumpus, Roger Jarea Drake, Craig Redman, Tonya Simerly, and Ronald Lee Thomas III are scheduled for trial on June 1, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force (CWVDTF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who led the investigation of Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr., and Sammy Joe Fragale II, also prosecuted as part of the Second Wave investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks 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 Nos. 2:21-cr-00045 (Miller), 2:20-cr-00153 (Woods), and 2:20-cr-00154 (Terrell et al).

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rafael Starks, 36, of Detroit, Michigan pleaded guilty today to an indictment charging him with aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin.  Starks was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2018.

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.   

Starks faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 12, 2021.

The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.   The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.

The case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

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. – Jamaile Huey, 42, of Detroit, Michigan pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  A federal grand jury indicted him on the charge in February 2021.

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 residence and placed into custody and another individual was located and detained. While the SWAT Team was conducting a protective sweep of the residence, a small quantity of a green leafy vegetation was located on a nightstand in plain view in the bedroom where Huey was observed coming from.  After Huey was secured, officers observed that he did not have any clothing on the bottom half of his body. Huey requested from officers a black pair of pants. One of the officers located a pair of black pants in the bedroom Huey was observed coming from and searched them prior to giving them to Huey. Inside of one of the pants pockets, officers located a plastic baggy containing suspected narcotics.   An additional search warrant was then obtained for the residence due to the suspected marijuana that was observed in plain view and the suspected narcotics that had been in Huey’s pants. During the search of the residence, a loaded Glock, model 17, 9mm pistol, serial number BFYY530 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.  While in the room where the firearm was located, investigators also observed that the items in the room matched the background of a photograph of Huey that had been provided by a confidential informant. The located firearm and magazine also matched the firearm that Huey possessed in the photograph.

Huey faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on July 12, 2021.

The Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   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-00030.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Charleston woman who took part in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2019 entered a guilty plea today in federal court.  Kathryn Elizabeth Casto, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

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 to them and that she was responsible for the distribution of up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. 

Casto faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 12, 2021. 

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include 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 presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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-00245.

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Phillips allegedly converted over $4.7 million of organization’s funds

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Ruth Marie Phillips, also known as Marie Phillips, 68, of Chesapeake, Ohio, with theft of federal funds from River Valley Child Development Services (“RVCDS”).  Phillips was arrested today and appeared in federal court in Huntington before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl A. Eifert.

RVCDS is a non-profit organization located in Huntington. RVCDS receives federal funding in excess of $10,000 in any one year and also receives state funding.  RVCDS provides programs, services and support to children, families and the early childhood community.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Phillips worked as the Director of Business and Finance at RVCDS from approximately December 1, 1986 to on or about September 1, 2020.  During this time, Phillips was responsible for all financial operations, including monitoring accounts receivable, creating and submitting invoices, reconciling bank accounts and issuing checks.  The criminal complaint alleges that on or about April 2, 2002, Phillips opened a BB&T bank account under the name RVCDS without permission from RVCDS.  Phillips listed her home address on the bank account and used it to knowingly convert approximately $4.72 million of RVCDS funds to her own use.

The criminal complaint further alleges that Phillips used the embezzled money for her own personal use and to fund Attitude Aviation, a full-service fixed-base operator authorized to provide aeronautical services, including fueling, rental of hangar space, aircraft rental, flight instruction and maintenance.  Attitude Aviation has offices at Lawrence County Airpark in South Point, Ohio, and Tri-State Airport in Huntington.  Phillips owns Attitude Aviation with at least two other people.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

If convicted, Phillips faces up to ten years in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the West Virginia State Police are conducting the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin F. Scott and Kathleen Robeson 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. 3:21-mj-00034.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Corey Allen Tucker, 25, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  A federal grand jury indicted Tucker in September 2020.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Tucker got into an altercation and shot an individual in South Charleston on January 7, 2019. Later that day, investigators with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department located Tucker in a South Charleston residence and found a 9mm pistol magazine loaded with unfired cartridges in his jacket pocket.  Law enforcement officers searched the residence and found two firearms, including a Taurus Millennium G2 9mm pistol, buried in a cat litter box.  Some of the ammunition loaded in that firearm was the same brand and type of shell casing located at the scene of the shooting. The magazine found in Tucker’s jacket pocket also fit the firearm.  Tucker admitted to law enforcement that he shot the victim.  Tucker was prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of a 2016 conviction in South Carolina for assault and battery in the first degree. 

Tucker faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on July 22, 2021.

The Kanawha 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 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-00162.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jaquan Jeremiah Wright, 22, of New York, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Wright was arrested on a federal criminal complaint in February 2021 in connection with a long-term investigation into a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in Charleston.  He was later charged by an Information on March 16, 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, officers with the Charleston Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Wright’s vehicle on July 20, 2020.  During the traffic stop, the officers found a Polymer80 PFC9, 9mm pistol in Wright’s car between the console and passenger seat.  At that time, Wright was subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order that was entered in the Jamestown City Court, County of Chautauqua, New York. That Domestic Violence Protective Order remains in effect until December 11, 2024.

Wright faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a term of supervised release when he is sentenced on July 1, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston thanked the law enforcement agencies for their excellent work in this case and their commitment to ensuring that individuals subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order do not possess a firearm.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation, dubbed the “Woo Boyz,” with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police. The Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) provided critical support to the investigative agencies.

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

The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

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-00039.

 

 

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man pleaded guilty today to two 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, on June 5, 2019, Williams was driving on Rt. 60 in Belle 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 and a small black safe.  Officers also located $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.

Williams faces at least five years and up to life in prison when sentenced on July 8, 2021.

“Excellent work by all the law enforcement agencies involved,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “This conviction is the result of a joint investigation conducted by 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. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney L. 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. 2:21-cr-00038 and 20-cr-00048.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jawhar Baruti Jones, 41, of Charleston, was sentenced to 60 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.  Jones pleaded guilty to the charge in January 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Jones sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Charleston on three separate occasions in May 2017.  In total, Jones distributed approximately 161 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine during the investigation.  A search warrant was executed at Jones’ residence shortly after the third transaction and law enforcement officers found several bills of United States currency with serial numbers matching those previously utilized by the confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Jones.   

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation with the assistance of the West Virginia State Police.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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. 2:19-cr-00070.

 

 

 

 

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 Defendant sentenced for conspiracy to fake his wife’s death at the New River Gorge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Raleigh County man received a sentence of eight months of confinement for his role in a conspiracy to obstruct justice.  Rodney Wheeler, 48, of Beckley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice on January 5, 2021.  He was ordered to serve two months of incarceration in federal prison, to be followed by six months of home confinement and then three years of supervised release. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Rodney and Julie Wheeler conspired to fake Julie’s death at the New River Gorge to avoid her federal court sentencing for health care fraud. Rodney Wheeler placed a 911 call on May 31, 2020, falsely claiming that Julie Wheeler had fallen from the Grandview Overlook in the New River Gorge in West Virginia.  The overlook is a steep cliff with a series of ledges leading down to the New River.  This 911 call prompted a massive search and rescue operation with hundreds of volunteers, law enforcement, and professional search and rescue personnel looking for Julie Wheeler at the base of the overlook and the surrounding area. Helicopters provided by the West Virginia Air National Guard and the West Virginia State Police searched from the air, repelling experts looked in the cliffs, and rescue dogs with their handlers scoured the ground looking for any trace of Julie Wheeler.  In fact, Julie Wheeler was hiding in her own home and planning to go into permanent hiding with Rodney Wheeler.

Throughout the massive search effort, Rodney Wheeler repeatedly gave false statements to state and federal investigators intentionally designed to mislead them about his wife’s whereabouts.  Rodney Wheeler also made a false Facebook post on June 1, 2020 stating “[T]he accident at Grandview yesterday involved my wife . . . they have not found her yet but I am holding out hope that she will be found and she is ok . . . I am heartbroken and lost right now but I have to have faith . . . please give us time to worth through this and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”  The purpose Rodney Wheeler’s false statements was to continue the Wheelers’ ruse that she had fallen and was missing.

After two days of searching, the West Virginia State Police located Julie Wheeler hiding in a closet inside her own home.  Once removed from her closet by the State Troopers, Rodney and Julie Wheeler were both taken into custody.  In statements to state and federal investigators, Rodney and Julie Wheeler both admitted they conspired to fake her disappearance to avoid Julie Wheeler’s pending federal sentencing in a health care fraud case. 

“A highly-coordinated effort by the agencies named herein led to the arrest and prosecution of Rodney Wheeler,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I applaud the tremendous work of  the National Park Service, the West Virginia State Police, the United States Probation Office, the FBI, the Office of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA-Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the West Virginia Air National Guard and the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office."

Rodney and Julie Wheeler both were charged with numerous felony and misdemeanor offenses in Raleigh County Circuit and Magistrate Courts relating to the false reporting of an emergency. 

Julie Wheeler was sentenced in February 2021 to a total of 54 months in federal prison for health care fraud and her own role in the obstruction conspiracy.  Julie Wheeler’s underlying health care fraud conviction related to her overbilling a VA program for spina bifida care.  She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $289,055.07 for the overbilling scheme. 

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over both criminal matters.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecutions.

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. 5:20-cr-00145.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Melanie Lynne Curnutte, 58, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  She was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in September 2019.

According to the plea agreement, between the fall of 2018 and September of 2019, Curnutte 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.  She relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and she would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers.  Curnutte admitted that she was aware some of her customers also intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them. 

Curnutte faces 10 years to life in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 6, 2021. 

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include 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 presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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-00245.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today to distributing cocaine base in Raleigh County.  Eric Ledon Brown, 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2020.  

Pursuant to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Brown sold cocaine base to a confidential informant on August 25, 2020.  Brown admitted to selling the drugs from his residence on South Heber Street in Beckley.  Brown also admitted to selling cocaine base on two other occasions within the Southern District of West Virginia. As further part of the plea, Brown admitted that a search warrant was executed at his residence on September 30, 2020.  During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement officers found a quantity of cocaine base that Brown admitted that he intended to distribute and two firearms that Brown was prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction in the state of Ohio. 

Brown faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2021.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 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, conducted the investigation. 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. 5:20-cr-00192.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cleveland, Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.  James Lavan, 45, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lavan admitted that on June 12, 2019, members of the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant on his girlfriend’s vehicle and seized over 70 grams of heroin from his tool bag in the truck. Lavan admitted he intended to sell the heroin.

Lavan faces up to 63 months in prison when sentenced on July 1, 2021.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nowles Heinrich, Jeremy B. Wolfe and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders 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. 2:19-cr-00233.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Three men appeared in U.S. District Court in Huntington today and pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes.

Michael Stanley Wright, 33, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Wright admitted that on March 4, 2020, law enforcement officers searched his house located on Washington Avenue in Huntington. They 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. Wright admitted that he intended to sell the fentanyl and methamphetamine. Also seized by law enforcement officers during the search were 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 faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on June 28, 2021. The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey is handling the prosecution.

In a separate case, Aaron Howell, 46, of Huntington, entered a guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. Howell 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 a police cruiser. Howell faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 28, 2021. The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is handling the prosecution.

In another case, Antoine Louis, 38, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.  According to court documents and statements made in court, Louis admitted that 0n October 19, 2020, he was stopped by law enforcement in St. Albans. 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 (CI) that was working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Louis faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 28, 2021. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers 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. 3:20-cr-00103(Wright), 3:21-cr-00006(Howell) and 2:20-cr-00195(Louis).

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A man and a woman from Fayette County were arrested and charged today in connection with sex trafficking a 17-year-old minor female.  Larry Allen Clay, Jr., 57, and Kristen Naylor-Legg, 28, were both charged by federal criminal complaint with sex trafficking of a minor.  Both Clay and Naylor-Legg are detained pending their preliminary hearings scheduled on March 31, 2021.

According to the charging documents, on two separate occasions in June 2020, Clay, who at the time was an employee of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the Chief of Police for the Gauley Bridge Police Department, rendered payments of $50 to Naylor-Legg to have sex with a 17-year-old minor female relative of Naylor-Legg.  According to the criminal complaints, Naylor-Legg accompanied the victim and was present during both of the sexual encounters between Clay and the minor female victim.  The complaints further allege that during the first incident, Clay remained in his Gauley Bridge police uniform during the entire sexual encounter and that the second incident took place inside the old Gauley Bridge High School in a location accessible to a limited number of people, including the Gauley Bridge Police Department.  Law enforcement authorities were able to retrieve DNA evidence from towels and paper towels discarded in the room where the second incident allegedly took place.

If convicted, Clay and Naylor-Legg each face at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the West Virginia State Police and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department are conducting the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is handling the prosecution. 

Members of the public are urged to report suspected instances of child sex trafficking through a toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or online at www.ice.gov/tips.

Note:  The charges contained in the complaints are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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-mj-0068 (Naylor-Legg) and 2:21-mj-0069 (Clay).

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County man pled guilty today to a federal gun crime. Eddie Lee Conley, 45, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  A federal grand jury indicted Conley in February 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.  Conley further admitted that at the time he possessed the handgun he had previously been convicted of conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory in the Circuit Court of Logan County in 2016. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Conley also admitted that he possessed a different .38 caliber handgun in Madison on January 29, 2020.

Conley faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on June 30, 2021.

The West Virginia State Police and the Madison Police 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 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. 2:21-cr-00035.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A felon pleaded guilty today to being in possession of a firearm.  John Leach, 55, formerly of St. Albans, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020. 

Leach admitted that on November 25, 2018, he was driving an improperly registered truck and was pulled over by the West Virginia State Police. In the truck, Leach had 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.

“I thank the West Virginia State Police and the ATF for their excellent work in this case,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.

Leach faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 30, 2021.

The West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew 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-00172.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) McDowell was sentenced today for possessing a weapon at the correctional facility. Rashun Evans, 23, of New York, was sentenced to 18 months in prison to run consecutively to the sentence he currently is serving. He also was sentenced to three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

Evans previously pleaded guilty and admitted that on February 5, 2020 he possessed a handcrafted weapon at FCI McDowell.   A staff member at the prison found the shank underneath a telephone in a common area where Evans had hidden it.  The weapon was a seven inch long piece of metal sharpened on one end with a cloth handle on the other end. Evans also admitted that the shank was designed and intended to be used as a weapon.

“I commend the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, “for their vigilant efforts to prevent potential violence among inmates.”

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. 1:20-cr-00203.

 

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Berkeley County man pleaded guilty today to attempted enticement of a minor. James Braddock Biggerman, 21, of Hedgesville, was charged by a single-count Information in early March 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Biggerman admitted that in June and July, 2020, he communicated with a 13-year-old female located in Bluefield via Snapchat and text messages. During those conversations he asked the minor female to engage in sexual activity with him and send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself. Biggerman also offered to pay the minor female $100 to engage in sexual activity. Biggerman admitted to having similar conversations during the same time frame with another 13-year-old female located in Charleston. Biggerman admitted that on July 18, 2020, he traveled from Hedgesville to Bluefield in order to meet the first minor female to engage in sexual activity. He then planned to transport that minor to Charleston in order to have sex with both minor females and video record the sexual activity.  Biggerman was arrested on July 18, 2020, when he arrived at the location where he had arranged to meet the minor in Bluefield.  

“I want to thank the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for their excellent work in this case,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “We are committed to prosecuting anyone who seeks to exploit our most vulnerable population – our children.”

Biggerman faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 14, 2021.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber 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. 1:21-cr-00037.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Huntington woman was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy responsible for transporting methamphetamine from Akron, Ohio to Huntington where it was distributed.

Mary Beth Cummings, 36, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Cummings admitted that during May 2019, she participated in a conspiracy with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington area.  During the conspiracy, Cummings repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington.  Cummings relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and Cummings would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers in Huntington.  Cummings also admitted that she was aware some of her customers also intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them. 

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Lynndell Nicola Boling, age 37, admitted that from at least December 2018 to October 15, 2020, she worked with other persons to sell heroin in Huntington. At first, she and another individual would run drugs to customers for their source of supply. Boling was paid with heroin for her own use. Later, she began meeting a drug runner at the Greyhound bus station who was working for her source. The runner would provide approximately 500 grams to 800 grams of heroin to Boling for her and others to sell. On October 15, 2020, members of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a search at Boling’s residence. Law enforcement seized from the residence 300 grams of heroin, worth approximately $40,000, and $17,960 in cash, which was money made from selling heroin. Also seized during the search was a Taurus .380 caliber pistol which had been provided to Boling by her heroin source to protect the heroin and money.

Boling faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison when she is sentenced on June 21, 2021.

The Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   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-00189.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Huntington man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack.” 

Daniel Legette, 45, admitted that on November 12, 2020, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant 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.

Legette faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 21, 2021. 

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams 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-00007.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Kevin Holmes, Jr., 31, previously pleaded guilty and admitted that on December 22, 2019, an officer with the Huntington Police Department pulled a vehicle over around the intersection of 20th Street and 6th Avenue in Huntington.  Holmes was the only person in the vehicle.  After determining there were warrants for Holmes arrest, the officer asked Holmes to get out of the vehicle.  After a brief foot pursuit, the officer arrested Holmes.  While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded .357 Magnum revolver.  Holmes was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2015 conviction in Kentucky for trafficking a controlled substance, fleeing police and wanton endangerment.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.  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. 3:20-cr-00017.

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Raleigh County pharmacist was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison for her role in a fraud scheme which cost victims over $2 million in losses. She was also ordered to pay over $2.5 million in restitution to the victims and serve a term of three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and admissions at the plea and sentencing hearings, Natalie P. Cochran, 40, of Daniels, owner of Technology Management Solutions (TMS) and Tactical Solutions Group (TSG) in Beckley, knowingly defrauded and took money and property from individuals, a financial institution and several other companies from approximately June 2017 through at least August 22, 2019. She persuaded them to invest in TMS and TSG and in phony government contracts by making false misrepresentations regarding her and her companies’ experience and purported success as government contractors.  Cochran convinced at least 11 people to invest approximately $2.5 million in alleged government contracts. The investors paid through personal checks, cashier’s checks and wire transfers. She also convinced an investor to send $511,920 through a wire transfer from North Carolina. Cochran never invested the money she received from victims, instead she put it into her personal and business bank accounts for personal purposes unrelated to the investments. Cochran admitted to using investor funds to make numerous purchases over $10,000, including withdrawing more than $37,500 to purchase a 1965 Shelby Cobra. She also admitted to knowing that at least one of her investors suffered a financial hardship as a result of her scheme.  As part of this scheme, Cochran used some investors’ funds to pay other investors a partial return on their investment.

Cochran pled guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges on September 21, 2020.  Pursuant to her plea agreement, she also agreed to forfeit her interest to the United States in the assets she obtained through her fraudulent activities, including two pieces of real property, a 1965 Shelby Cobra, multiple vehicles, jewelry and nearly $45,000 seized from her business’ bank account. 

“I want to commend the victims for the remarkable courage they displayed throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I also want to thank the West Virginia State Police , the United States Secret Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) and Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Robeson and Greg McVey who worked tremendously hard to ensure that the defendant was held accountable for the significant harm she inflicted on the victims.”

“The West Virginia State Police is proud that today we were able to secure justice for the numerous victims impacted by the selfish criminal conduct of Natalie Cochran,” said West Virginia State Police Lieutenant Timothy Bledsoe. “While this sentence does not undo the harm that Cochran brought upon each victim, we feel that our investigative efforts worked to ensure that she was held accountable for her criminal actions related to the operation of her Ponzi scheme.”

“The results of this investigation demonstrate the Secret Service’s commitment to protecting our nation’s financial institutions and citizens of West Virginia,” said U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Robert W. Pyle.  “We will continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to bring offenders to justice. We would like to thank the West Virginia State Police and the FDIC-OIG for their cooperation and partnership in this case.”

“Today’s sentencing recognizes the importance of holding the defendant responsible for lying to a financial institution and investors, and fraudulently inducing them to finance her companies and fake government contracts,” said FDIC Inspector General Jay N. Lerner. “ The defendant then, in turn, purchased luxury items for her personal use with the illicit proceeds.  The FDIC Office of Inspector General remains committed to working with the U.S. Attorney and our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who commit such flagrant offenses, and to help preserve the integrity of the banking sector.”

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence.

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-00247.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Montgomery woman pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Carol Lynn Belton, 61, was one of 14 defendants charged as a result of a long-term investigation known as “Second Wave,” which dismantled a poly-drug network operating in Kanawha and Fayette counties.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Belton obtained methamphetamine from co-defendant Jason Terrell and sold it in Montgomery between January and August 2020.  She admitted to selling approximately seven ounces during her involvement in the conspiracy.

Belton faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced on June 8, 2021.

Other defendants, including Jimmie Coleman, Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr., Sammy Joe Fragale II, Larry Martin, and Jason Terrell have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Gregory Woods was sentenced to 184 months in federal prison on February 8, 2021.  Steven Matthew Bumpus, Roger Jarea Drake, Rashawn Akmed Miller, Craig Redman, Tonya Simerly, and Ronald Lee Thomas III are scheduled for trial on April 27, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force (CWVDTF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who led the investigation of Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr., and Sammy Joe Fragale II, who were also prosecuted as part of the Second Wave investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearings.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is in charge of 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-00153 (Woods) and 2:20-cr-00154 (Terrell et al).

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Belle man was sentenced today to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.  Justin Lee Davis, 27, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020 and charged with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Davis sold approximately four ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a retail establishment near Belle on February 22, 2019.  Law enforcement officers were able to observe Davis meeting with the confidential informant during the transaction.  Following the transaction, Davis was followed back to his residence.  A search warrant was executed at that residence four days later and Davis was located in a bedroom along with approximately 2.4 pounds of additional methamphetamine, digital scales and packaging materials.   

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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-00164.

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today to distributing cocaine base in Raleigh County.  Greg Anthony Waters, 52, was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2020.  

Pursuant to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on September 20, 2020, Waters sold approximately one ounce of cocaine base to a person that was working with law enforcement as a confidential informant.  Waters admitted to meeting the informant near a restaurant he owned in Beckley to sell the drugs.  Waters also admitted to selling cocaine or cocaine base on several other occasions. Each transaction occurred within the Southern District of West Virginia. As further part of the plea, Waters agreed to forfeit cash in the amount of $2,481 and to have a money judgment entered in the amount of $5,000, the total of which represents the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking. Waters also agreed to forfeit a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado truck which was used to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances. 

Waters faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 2, 2021.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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, conducted the investigation. 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. 5:20-cr-00191.

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today to attempted production of child pornography. Douglas Patrick Humphrey, 32, was charged by a single-count Information in February 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Humphrey admitted that on August 25 and 26, 2020, he communicated with a 15-year-old female via Snapchat. During that conversation he asked her to meet him to engage in sexual activity and also asked her to produce and send a video of herself engaged in sexual intercourse with another man. Humphrey admitted that in July 2020 he had made a similar request of the minor female and had received a video depicting her engaged in sexual activity. Humphrey was arrested on August 26, 2020, when he arrived at the location where he had arranged to meet the minor.  

Humphrey faces at least 15 years and up 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 2, 2021.

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force handled the investigation.  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-00005.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County woman pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Raechel Cooper, 30, was charged by a single count Information on March 8, 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Cooper admitted that on April 9, 2018, Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) officers executed a search warrant at her East Bank residence. Officers found Cooper in her vehicle along with eight bags of methamphetamine hidden in a hollowed-out teddy bear.  An additional amount of methamphetamine was found inside her residence.  In total, Cooper was found to be in possession of over 350 grams of methamphetamine.

Cooper faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when she is sentenced on June 15, 2021.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. 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. 2:21-cr-00036.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to distribution of heroin. Donta Hamilton, 30, was charged by a single-count Information in February 2021.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Hamilton admitted that on August 5, 2020, he met a confidential informant working with Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) in Charleston at a Renaissance Circle apartment and sold the confidential informant approximately 3.5 grams of heroin.  

Hamilton faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 16, 2021.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Blackwell 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-00022.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearms.  Jonathan Fields, 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2020, and charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. 

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, 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 further admitted that at the time he possessed the two rifles he had previously been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the Circuit Court of Nicholas County in 2013.

Fields faces up to 87 months in prison when sentenced on June 14, 2021.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conducted the investigation with assistance from 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-00128.

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Honorable United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Cornelius Pope, 24, of Detroit, Michigan to 12 months and one day in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl and three years of supervised release.

Pope previously pled guilty on October 2, 2020.  According to court documents, Pope admitted to distributing fentanyl and heroin on four separate occasions between November 7, 2018 and May 26, 2020, to confidential informants throughout the Beckley area.

Johnston commended the law enforcement officers and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Hamner for their excellent work.

“The proliferation of fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia and throughout the United States is threatening the lives of countless individuals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. 

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley-Raleigh Drug and Violent Crime Unit.  

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. 5:20-cr-00085.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today that Curtis Watson, 52, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to a total of 295 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He was previously convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute heroin, using and carrying a firearm during the heroin conspiracy, and tampering with a witness.  Watson, also known as “LOW,” conspired with other drug traffickers from Detroit, Michigan and Charleston, West Virginia, to distribute in excess of 700 grams of heroin in the Southern District of West Virginia.

“This case is a testament to the hard work our law enforcement partners do every day to combat these deadly drugs from making it into our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “I applaud the tremendous work of everyone in this case, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Nowles Heinrich, who tried this case with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Saunders, and handled the sentencing hearing today.”

Watson supplied a residence in the Hernshaw area with a substantial amount of heroin, which would then be sold to drug addicts and dealers. Shortly after the conspiracy began, Watson was losing money and he enlisted other Detroit drug traffickers to travel to West Virginia and sell more heroin.  Watson would provide these Detroit drug dealers with firearms to protect the heroin.  Upwards of $40,000 was being made in a given day at this residence. One witness described the house similar to a fast-food restaurant. Another witness described selling drugs out of the house from sun up to sunset. 

Watson’s conspiracy ended on November  17, 2017, when the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Hernshaw residence because a person fatally overdosed from drugs purchased at the location.  Prior to law enforcement arriving, Watson dropped off more heroin and a Hi-Point firearm, and left the area.

After a federal grand jury indicted Watson on November 27, 2018, his first jury trial was scheduled on August 12, 2019.  On the day the trial was set to begin, a cooperating witness was threatened by Watson because the witness was cooperating with the government. When Watson saw the witness at the federal courthouse, he yelled at the witness, “I got you! I got you!” After the encounter with Watson, the witness became concerned for their safety and was afraid to testify.   Subsequently, the federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Watson on September 18, 2019, adding a charge for tampering with a witness.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force,  the West Virginia State Police, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Marmet Police Department conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. 

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-00279.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Steven McGee, 51, of Michigan, pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin.  He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 7, 2021.

“I commend the Huntington Police Department for their tireless efforts to stem the tide of the opioid epidemic,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “Their work continues to make Huntington a safer place to live.”

McGee admitted that on February 24, 2020, he directed the distribution of heroin to a confidential informant in the area of 24th Street and 10th Avenue in Huntington. 

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joe 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. 3:20-cr-00170.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Trina Tellez-Mullins, 36, of Oak Hill, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“The excellent investigative work of DEA prevented approximately 433 grams of meth from being distributed in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “It is only by working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners that we can ensure defendants like Tellez-Mullins are held accountable.”

Tellez-Mullins previously pled guilty and admitted that on September 28, 2017, she possessed approximately 433.1 grams of methamphetamine at the Greyhound station in Beckley which she intended to distribute.  Law enforcement had interdicted the drug package that was en route from California via Greyhound bus to Tellez-Mullins in Beckley. Federal agents arranged a controlled delivery and arrested Tellez-Mullins at the Beckley bus station when she accepted the package of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Frank W. Volk 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. 5:20-cr-00119.

                                                                                                                                                                     

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Lisa G. Johnston will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

U.S. Attorney Lisa Johnston

Johnston was selected to serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys in Washington D.C. after former U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart announced his resignation effective February 28.

“I am truly humbled and honored to serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia.  The important work of the public servants in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the district and their dedication to justice will continue,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Johnston.  “We look forward to working with our dedicated law enforcement partners who work hard to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Johnston is a career prosecutor who joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of West Virginia in August 2006. In 2010, she was named the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the district. Throughout her lengthy career with the Department of Justice, Johnston prosecuted numerous sexual exploitation cases as well as federal cases involving firearms, arson, drugs and health care fraud.

Johnston assumed the duties of First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia in January 2018, providing guidance to the Civil, Criminal, and Administrative Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of West Virginia, she was employed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of West Virginia from 1988 until 2006.

Johnston will serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney until President Biden makes a nomination and confirmation takes place.

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. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Christopher Moore, 47, from Detroit, Michigan, and currently living in Jackson County, West Virginia, pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Moore was previously convicted of three felony drug offenses related to the distribution of cocaine base, and he spent over 14 years in federal prison. On June 27, 2020, Moore possessed a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol which was used to shoot and kill a visitor at his house in Kenna. Moore faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when  he is sentenced on June 3, 2021.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew 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-00002.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Derrick Pritchett, 37, of Huntington, was sentenced to a total of 36 months in prison for his conviction for a drug offense and a violation of supervised release. Pritchett previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana.

Pritchett admitted that on December 5, 2019, Troopers with the West Virginia State Police searched his vehicle located on Artisan Avenue in Huntington.  Troopers located approximately 17 grams of heroin and 56 grams of marijuana.  Pritchett was on supervised release when he committed the drug offense. Pritchett was sentenced to 21 months in prison for the drug offense.  In a separate proceeding, Pritchett was sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating his supervised release.  The sentences were ordered to run consecutive to one another for a total of 36 months in prison.

The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.   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. 3:20-cr-00034.

 

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