Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that three defendants appeared in federal court this week on gun crimes.

Tristan Monroe Baldwin, 23, of Charleston, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Following his prison sentence, Baldwin must complete an in-patient drug treatment program as part of his three year term of supervised release.  According to public court hearings and documents, on October 11, 2017, the pastor of Baber-Agee United Methodist Church entered a building on church property and found Baldwin, who had broken into the building through a window.  Baldwin fled into the woods.  Later the same day, Baldwin burglarized several vehicles on a property on Dutch Creek Road in Charleston, before the property owners’ dogs chased Baldwin away.  Police investigators ultimately found Baldwin carrying a duffle bag that held a loaded .40 caliber pistol, a methamphetamine pipe, and various stolen items.  Baldwin admitted to investigators that he had been heavily using methamphetamine for three years.  As an unlawful drug user, Baldwin was federally prohibited from possessing a firearm.  The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

Melvin Peters, 32,  of Charleston, pled guilty to prohibited possession of a firearm.  Peters admitted that during a traffic stop near the Greyhound Bus Station in Charleston, he threw a Rossi Model 46102, .357 Magnum revolver underneath the car he was driving.  Peters had a previous conviction of domestic battery.  Peters faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on December 11, 2019.  The ATF and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.

Keanna Carter, of Charleston, pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Carter admitted that she possessed 251 oxycodone pills at her house with the intent to distribute them for money.  Carter further admitted that she possessed firearms for the purpose of assisting her with the drug trafficking.  Carter faces a minimum five year sentence in prison when sentenced on December 11, 2019.  The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Arthur is handling the prosecution.

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

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17 Individuals Indicted as part of Drug Trafficking Organization

Over 200 Law Enforcement Officers from Multiple States Involved in Takedown

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced a major takedown today of drug traffickers resulting in the dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing pounds of methamphetamine from San Diego, California to West Virginia. The indictments and subsequent arrests are the result of a long-term investigation led by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the United States Marshals Service, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, which is made up of law enforcement officers from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police, the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.  The operation, dubbed “Operation Shutdown Corner,”  resulted in two indictments charging 17 individuals in the DTO alleged to have distributed methamphetamine and heroin.

“Today’s coordinated takedown as part of Operation Shutdown Corner is a significant achievement in our continued effort to rid West Virginia of the drug traffickers, drug dealers and poison peddlers that have caused so much pain and despair among our people,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “From San Diego to West Virginia, today’s operation shutdown a major drug trafficking organization. Over 200 law enforcement agents from more than five states were involved in this operation without incident and according to plan.  I want to thank the tremendous investigative and law enforcement efforts of all our partners at the federal, state and local levels. Great work. As a result of these indictments and arrests, West Virginia communities and West Virginia families are safer today than they were yesterday. We continue with a sense of urgency to take down and remove those who cause only harm and despair in the interests of greed and making money.”

"Disrupting drug trafficking organizations like this one is a critical part of the FBI's mission. The heroin, meth and guns seized are dangerous and can lead to dangerous consequences," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "These arrests should send a message to other groups who think they can do business in West Virginia.  The FBI and our law enforcement partners are pooling all our resources to stop you and the violence that comes with the drug trade you deem as profitable."

The long-term investigation revealed that a stream of packages containing pounds of methamphetamine were being shipped from the San Diego, California area and being received in the Southern District of West Virginia using common carriers, such as the United States Postal Service and the United Parcel Service (UPS).  Several packages were intercepted by law enforcement, and using law enforcement tools, the full nature and scope of the DTO was revealed. The dismantling of the DTO resulted in the seizure of large quantities of controlled substances, illegally possessed firearms, and United States currency, which represents proceeds of the DTO’s illegal operations. It is believed that the shutting down of this DTO will significantly curtail the methamphetamine scourge in Raleigh County and the surrounding area.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement partners. Today’s actions would not have been possible without the seamless collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  The investigation is ongoing and could result in additional federal and state charges in the future.

Please Note:  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Mike Stuart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement officials, will hold a press conference in Beckley on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.  to discuss indictments resulting from a long-term investigation.

Where:             Robert C. Byrd Federal Building

                         110 North Heber Street

                        Beckley, WV

When:              Wednesday, September 18, 2019 @ 3:00 p.m.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Guatemalan national man pled guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Daniel Lopez-Ajqui, 26, faces up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, a special assessment, and possible removal from the United States when he is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2019.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“This is Constitution Week in the United States and I celebrate that it is not only the finest document ever written by man but that it is also the foundation for the greatest nation in the history of the earth.  But to be an American, you must follow the rules and come to this nation legally.  This is Lopez-Ajqui’s third removal,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “If he legally entered our country, he would be welcomed to stay.”

On June 11, 2019, Lopez-Ajqui was found in Elkview by members of ICE after they received information Lopez-Ajqui was working illegally in Elkview.  ICE agents traveled to Elkview to confirm his legal status.  The defendant admitted to agents that he was in the United States illegally.  Lopez-Ajqui  was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States.  ICE agents further spoke to the defendant to confirm his identity. Lopez-Ajqui again admitted being in the United States illegally and had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.

Fingerprinting matched Lopez-Ajqui to two prior removals from the United States in 2018 from Texas. In all prior removal hearings, Lopez-Ajqui was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Guatemala.  He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Lopez-Ajqui further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Guatemalan citizen.

 United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio, woman was sentenced to federal prison for a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Azriel Irene Westfall, 21, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.  Westfall must also serve a three year term of supervised release after her prison term.

“Another Akron drug dealer bringing powerful and deadly drugs – 30 grams of a heroin and carfentanil mixture, heroin and methamphetamine - into our area,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are working closely with our partners in Akron and the Northern District of Ohio.  Our partnerships are growing stronger and our ability to stop drug dealers in the act is improving.  We don’t want drug dealers here.  If they come to my district and are arrested, they can plan on no return trips anytime soon.  Westfall won’t being going home to Akron until she serves her time in federal prison.” 

On February 28, 2018, police investigators executed a search warrant on a drug house on Mountain Road in Charleston, where Westfall was staying with several other people.  The investigators searched Westfall’s purse and found close to 30 grams of a mixture of heroin and carfentanil (a powerful fentanyl analogue); almost 10 grams of heroin; and around 3 grams of ice methamphetamine.  Westfall was also carrying over $6,000 in drug proceeds in her purse.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that six defendants appeared in federal court this week for various gun crimes.

“As part of PSN, we’re working hard with ATF and state and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime in our communities,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Prosecuting violators of federal gun laws is vital to our efforts.   Week after week, we take more prohibited persons with guns off our streets and put them behind bars.”   

Four men appeared in United States District Court in Charleston on felon in possession charges:

Tijuan Tyson, 31, of Charleston, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Tyson previously admitted that on October 19, 2015, he was approached by officers because he looked similar to a suspect involved in a robbery. He appeared nervous, had his hands in his pocket, and dropped a bag of suspected marijuana on the ground prior to taking off on foot. He was apprehended and during a search incident to arrest, officers located the loaded and operable Arsenal CO, 9 mm caliber pistol, which was listed as stolen, in his pocket. Tyson is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has been convicted of the felony of Use of an Access Device With the Intent to Defraud.  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 Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution.

Dakota Zachary Williams, 24, of St. Albans, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon.  At public court hearings, it was established that on January 19, 2019, police stopped Williams for erratic driving in St. Albans.  Williams told an officer that he was swerving because he was rolling a blunt while driving and that he had marijuana in his cup holder.  Investigators recovered the marijuana and also found a loaded pistol under the driver’s seat.  They arrested Williams and found that he was carrying more marijuana, various pills, and around 3 grams of methamphetamine.  Further, on February 12, 2019, police arrested Williams again in the parking lot of Walmart in Nitro, where Williams had shoplifted an item.  On scene, investigators found Williams carrying another loaded firearm, marijuana, and a box of ammunition.  Williams had previously been convicted for felony wanton endangerment in 2016 and his right to possess a firearm was not restored.  The St. Albans Police Department, Nitro Police Department, and the ATF conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

Shannon Brown, 43, of Charleston, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Brown admitted that on June 6, 2019, he possessed a Smith and Wesson, .40 caliber handgun, in and affecting interstate commerce.  Brown had previously been convicted of two prior drug felonies on August 12, 1998 and July 13, 2004, in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, WV, and was aware that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.   Brown faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on January 30, 2020.  The Charleston Police Department and the ATF conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Steven I. Loew is handling the prosecution.

William Ware, 41, of Ohio, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.  On May 18, 2017, Charleston Police investigated a call that shots were fired on 6th Street in Charleston.   The defendant and his vehicle matched the description provided by witnesses of who fired the shots.  Charleston Police found magazine with 12 shot of ammunition in the driver side floor of the vehicle after pulling Defendant over on Bagley Street.   Defendant had three prior felony convictions, and did not have his rights restored to possess firearms or ammunition.   The Charleston Police Department and the ATF conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Chris Arthur handled the prosecution.

In addition, two Huntington men pled guilty before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to being felons in possession of firearms.

Randall Allen Eplion, Jr., 30, admitted that, on April 5, 2019, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence located at 427 Rear 6th Avenue, Apartment E in Huntington .  During the search, officers found Eplion in possession of a number of firearms including a .45 caliber pistol, a 5.56 mm rifle, and a 12 gauge shotgun.  Eplion was prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior conviction for first degree robbery in Cabell County.  Eplion admitted as part of his plea that he possessed a total of 21 firearms that officers located during the search.  Some of the firearms were stolen and Eplion admitted that he traded methamphetamine for a number of the firearms.  Eplion also admitted that the 5.56 mm rifle qualified as a machinegun, the 12 gauge shotgun qualified as a short-barrel shotgun, and that neither of the firearms were registered as required by federal law.  Eplion faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on December 16, 2019.   The ATF and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.

Jeremy Bartram, 27, admitted that on July 6, 2019 the West Virginia State Police conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle in the area of 16th Street Road in Huntington.  Bartram admitted to the Trooper that he possessed a handgun.  The Trooper then searched the vehicle and found the firearm in a bag between Bartram’s feet.  Bartram is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted of a felony offense.  Bartram faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on December 16, 2019.  The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is handling the prosecution.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Fayette County man was sentenced on his conviction for conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and oxycodone.  Greg Coleman, 43, of Scarbro, was sentenced to 300 months, or 25 years, in federal prison.  Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Oak Hill Police Department. 

“25 years in federal prison. 25 years. To put it in perspective, 25 years ago, there wasn’t an iPhone and Bill Clinton was in his first term. This is a significant sentence for a significant crime,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Coleman, already a felon, was a major poly-drug dealer with an arsenal of firearms. All that got him was a very long sentence in federal prison.”

At an earlier hearing, Coleman admitted that between October 2017 and July 31, 2018, he worked with other members of a drug trafficking organization operating in Fayette County to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and oxycodone pills.  Coleman admitted that during this time period, he distributed approximately three kilograms of heroin, approximately one-and-a-half kilograms of methamphetamine, and about 3000 oxycodone pills in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.  Coleman also previously admitted that on July 16, 2018 he consented to a search of his residence by law enforcement officers.  During the search, officers recovered 182 grams of heroin that Coleman had just obtained from another member of the drug trafficking organization and multiple guns.  Coleman knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a prior felony conviction in Fayette County, West Virginia Circuit Court.  As part of his plea agreement, Coleman agreed to forfeit 65 firearms to the United States.

The prosecution of Coleman culminated from a joint investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies known as Mountaineer Highway.       

Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Andrew J. Tessman handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man was sentenced on federal drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Derrick Mitchell, 30, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for distribution of heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.   Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force.

“A deadly combination,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Mitchell was selling firearms in addition to trafficking powerful and dangerous drugs.  With Mitchell off to federal prison, Raleigh County is no doubt a safer place to live.”

Previously, Mitchell admitted that on December 12, 2017, he sold what he believed to be heroin, but in fact turned out to be a mix of heroin and fentanyl, to a confidential informant working with the ATF.  The drugs sold on that date were tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration and confirmed to contain heroin and fentanyl.  Mitchell also admitted that on January 9, 2018, he sold two firearms, a Taurus, model PT111, Millennium G2, 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a German, model Makarov MP, 9 X 18mm caliber pistol, to a confidential informant who was again working with the ATF.   This transaction was audio and video recorded.  At the time Mitchell sold the firearms, he was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2015 drug-related felony conviction in Raleigh County, West Virginia.  Mitchell further admitted to selling cocaine and “crack” cocaine on four other occasions.  During one of those occasions, Mitchell also sold another firearm knowing that he was prohibited from possessing any firearms.  On January 24, 2018, officers executed a search warrant at Mitchell’s residence and located additional firearms.   

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -  A West Hamlin man pled guilty to using Snap Chat to make a bomb threat directed at local high school, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. William Lee McCallister, also known as Kreekchub, 24,  pled guilty to Threatening and Conveying False Information Concerning the Use of an Explosive Device.

“We don’t tolerate threats to our schools,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Hoax threats are serious federal crimes.  They are not a joke.  We take every single one seriously, will investigate them thoroughly and prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.  Hoax threats waste valuable law enforcement resources and disrupt school systems.  Think before you post and, if you make a threat to our schools or public safety, you’ll be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

McCallister admitted that he made bomb threat directed at Lincoln County High School on Snap Chat stating he would plant a bomb at the high school via a four-wheeler trail behind the school with the intent to detonate the bomb on January 3, 2019.

McCallister faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on December 11, 2019.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan, Ohio man was sentenced to prison for a federal sex offense, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Donald E. Ward, 59, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for traveling in interstate commerce in order to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor.  Following his release from prison, Ward will serve a term of five years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender.

“Protecting West Virginia’s youth is a priority of my office,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “These are absolutely egregious crimes.  I will continue to focus the efforts of my office to protect our children and other vulnerable populations.  Predators who seek to take advantage of those that are weaker or vulnerable, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Ward previously admitted that in January 2019 he began communicating via a social media application and text message with a minor he believed to be a 14-year-old girl in Parkersburg, West Virginia. On February 13, 2019, Ward traveled from Ohio to Parkersburg in order to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity, including oral sex. Only then did Ward discover that the minor was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. 

The West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Parkersburg Police Department conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin 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.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayetteville woman was sentenced to federal prison for heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine trafficking, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jessical Lynn Hall, 29, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, along with quantities of heroin and fentanyl.  Upon completing her prison sentence, Hall will serve an additional term of four years of supervised release.

“Hall and her boyfriend were serious drug dealers in Fayette County,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Hall is now off to serve a substantial federal prison sentence and her boyfriend will soon learn his fate.”

Hall previously admitted that she sold heroin and fentanyl to an informant on three occasions in January 2019 at her residence on Deepwater Mountain Road.  On January 15, 2019, members of the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force executed a search warrant and seized 446 grams of methamphetamine, 89.95 grams of heroin, 90.82 grams of fentanyl and three handguns.  Hall’s boyfriend, Jason Treadway, 37, pled guilty in June to distribution of heroin and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of heroin and fentanyl.  Treadway faces 5 to 40 years’ prison when he is sentenced on October 3, 2019. 

The Central West Virginia Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan, man was sentenced to federal prison for a federal drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Eddie Riago-Javone Bryant, 27, was sentenced to 43 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. 

“Bryant was selling drug mixtures containing heroin, fentanyl and PCP,” said United State Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Drug dealers from Detroit have caused so much misery and despair throughout West Virginia communities.  We’re taking our streets back and putting poison peddlers behind bars.”

According to public court hearings and Bryant’s plea agreement, Bryant sold drugs to a police undercover confidential informant in Charleston and Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on February 8, February 12, and February 14, 2018.  Bryant sold drug mixtures containing heroin, fentanyl, and phencyclidine (PCP).  On February 15, 2018, investigators arrested Bryant at the Cross Lanes Motel 6 and found that he was carrying around 25 grams of a heroin mixture, $688 in drug proceeds, and a digital scale.

After Bryant’s release from jail, he again sold a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to a confidential informant on April 18, 2018, in Charleston.  Investigators arrested Bryant that day and executed a search warrant at the apartment where he was temporarily residing on West Washington Street.  They recovered approximately 12 grams of a heroin and fentanyl mixture and found a .22 caliber revolver hidden in a cereal box in the kitchen cabinets.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), Charleston Police Department, West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

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Charleston, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty to a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Rahem Lipford, 36,  pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

“Heroin and firearms,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “As long as law enforcement keeps finding drug dealers like Lipford, we’ll keep prosecuting them.”

Lipford admitted that on July 13, 2017, members of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), executed a search warrant at his residence and located 24.94 grams of heroin. Lipford admitted to possessing the heroin with the intention of distributing it. Detectives also seized a firearm, which was present inside the residence.   

Lipford faces up to 30 years in prison when sentenced on December 10, 2019. 

MDENT, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.

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

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FAYETTE COUNTY WILL NOW BE PART OF THE APPALACHIA HIDTA (AHIDTA)

CHARLESTON, W.VA. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart issued the following statement about Fayette County’s designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP):

“West Virginia and the Southern District is once again the recipient of great news in the fight against drug peddlers. This is big news and Fayette County earned its HIDTA designation.  I was happy to go to bat for Fayette County throughout the designation process, but it was Fayette County law enforcement that hit the ball out of the park.  The law enforcement agencies working in Fayette County earned this designation through hard work, collaboration and leadership committed to a team approach.  Operation Mountaineer Highway is a great example of collaborative, team oriented law enforcement in which agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police,  the Central West Virginia Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia National Guard, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Oak Hill Police Department, the National Park Service, the Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and many others, worked together, collaboratively and in close partnership, to dismantle a multi-state, poly-drug network operating from South Carolina to New Jersey. The ONDCP and the AHIDTA have provided enormous resources and support in our fight against drug dealers, drug thugs, and drug trafficking organizations that wrought devastation, despair, and death to our communities.  It is an honor to work arm-in-arm with our partners in the Appalachia HIDTA.  Congratulations Fayette County on your hard-earned designation.”

The ONDCP press release on new HIDTA county designations can be found here:  https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/ondcp-designates-13-new-counties-curb-drug-trafficking/

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Sissonville man pled guilty to escape, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Edward Lee Lewis, 51, pled guilty to escaping from Dismas Charites, a halfway house, in St. Albans, West Virginia.

“Escape attempts are a bad idea,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “U.S. Marshals will always find you. And then my office will prosecute you.” 

Lewis admitted that on December 20, 2018, he was lawfully confined at Dismas Charities in St. Albans, West Virginia, at the direction of the Attorney General by virtue of a revocation of supervised release and judgment order of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. On January 17, 2019, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Dismas staff were unable to locate Lewis and notified the United States Marshals Service. Lewis was given permission to leave Dismas earlier in the day to look for employment with instructions to return no later than 4:30 p.m., but he did not return as instructed.  At the time Dismas staff were unable to locate him, Lewis did not have authority to be absent from the Dismas Charities facility. On January 22, 2019, a federal warrant was issued for Lewis’ arrest for escape. On July 19, 2019, Lewis was arrested by the United States Marshals Service the outstanding arrest warrant.  

Lewis faces up to five years in prison when sentenced on December 5, 2019.

The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman was sentenced on three counts of bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Kimberly Dawn Price, also known as Kimberly Dawn Swann, age 60, was sentenced to 33 months in prison. 

“It’s simple.  Price was a thief who stole from an employer that implicitly trusted her,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And know she’s being held accountable.”   

Price was employed as a staff accountant with a local accounting firm.  Between 2009 and 2015, in the course of her employment, Price wrote and forged signatures on checks on at least three accounts belonging to the firm’s clients without authorization.   Price deposited checks into her own bank account and used the money to pay gambling debts, as well as other expenditures.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  hearing.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former Huttonsville Correctional Center guard and the mother of  Huttonsville inmate pled guilty to drug trafficking offenses,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Mark Steven Taylor, 40, of Richwood, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.   Pamela Gail Adkins, 44, of Oak Hill, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.

“An officer of the law gone bad. The actions of both Taylor and Adkins are incomprehensible,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “A corrections officer, who is supposed to uphold the law, takes money to act as a drug courier and a mother who is trying her best to distribute meth and heroin to her incarcerated son.  Unbelievable.  Despicable. And just plain wrong. We’re working hard with federal, state and local law enforcement to stop the flow of drugs into correctional facilities.”

Taylor admitted on February 26, 2019, while employed as a Corrections Officer at the Huttonsville Correctional Center, Adkins gave him quantities of methamphetamine and heroin to smuggle into the prison.  He further admitted that she paid him $500, and that he had smuggled drugs into Huttonsville on one prior occasion.  Adkins admitted giving Taylor the drugs and paying him to smuggle them into the prison where her son was incarcerated. 

After being alerted to the scheme by Huttonsville Correctional Center Investigators, members of the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force arrested Adkins and Taylor at set up surveillance in Craigsville where they observed Adkins give Taylor the package containing methamphetamine and heroin. 

Both Adkins and Taylor face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on January 13, 2020. 

The Huttonsville Correctional Center and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Robert Thomas (also known as Zombie), 33, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

“It’s hard to imagine 989 grams of meth, but that’s what we have in this case.  Firearms too,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “I am working with every possible partner and hitting hard at the drug dealers. They need to go. They are not welcome in West Virginia. We’re prosecuting gun-toting meth dealers like Thomas to get them off of our streets.  And we’re trying to get them locked up for as long as possible.” 

Thomas admitted that his home was searched, pursuant to a search warrant, on January 17, 2017. During the search of his residence, detectives seized what proved to be 989 grams of methamphetamine. Detectives also seized four firearms. Thomas possessed the firearms to protect himself and his drugs and he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to other drug dealers and addicts.

Thomas faces 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 13, 2020. 

The Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) of the Charleston Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. 

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart issued the following statement regarding recent allegations of sexual assault at the Beckley Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC):

“My office has been made aware of the sexual assault allegations at the Beckley VAMC.  My office takes these allegations very seriously and is working closely with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure this matter is investigated thoroughly and quickly.”

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging two people with nine counts of wire and mail fraud relating to a scheme to defraud a major car company of more than $4 million.

According to the indictment, Frank Russo, 68, of North Carolina, and Kevin Fluharty, 58, of West Virginia organized and participated in a scheme to misuse a car company’s warranty extension program that offered to repurchase certain defective trucks for 150% of their value, so long as those trucks were owned by individual customers rather than a dealership.  Participants in the scheme bought the trucks at wholesale prices at auction through a car dealership in Kentucky.  They then obtained hundreds of copies of Kentucky and West Virginia residents’ driver’s licenses, fraudulently titled the trucks in the name of those residents, and induced the car company to repurchase the trucks at 150% of value.   

According to the indictment, the indicted defendants ran 350 trucks through the scheme between 2013 and 2015, causing approximately $4.3 million in losses to the car company.  

“These allegations are very serious.  The alleged fraud scheme caused over $4 million in losses,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “I appreciate the tremendous work of the investigators in this case that resulted in today’s indictment.”

If convicted, the two defendants each face up to 30 years in prison. 

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorney Stefan Hasselblad is handling the prosecution.

The indictment can be found​ here.​

Please note:  An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mexican national man pled guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jose Guadelaupe Camarena-Jacinto, 37, faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 dollar fine, three years of supervised release, a special assessment, and possible removal from the United States when he is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2019.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Ripley Police Department.

“Camarena-Jacinto had four prior removals,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “This revolving door is an unbelievable drain on critical law enforcement resources that are needed elsewhere. My office prosecutes every single reentry case.”

On June 17, 2019, Camarena-Jacinto was found in the South Central Regional Jail  located in Charleston, West Virginia by members of ICE after he was arrested by Ripley police officers for the state offense of obstruction.  ICE agents traveled to the jail to confirm his legal status.  The defendant admitted to agents that he was in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto  was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States.  ICE agents further spoke to the defendant to confirm his identity. Camarena-Jacinto again admitted being in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.

Fingerprinting matched Camarena-Jacinto to four prior removals from the United States in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012.  His previous removals also included a prior conviction of illegal reentry into the United States from Federal Court in Kansas City, Missouri.  In  all four cases, Camarena-Jacinto was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Mexico.  He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Camarena-Jacinto further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Brooklyn, New York man was sentenced on a drug charge in federal court in Bluefield.  Tarik Williams, 35, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for distribution of heroin.

“Another out-of-state drug dealer caught peddling heroin in our southern counties,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “It means another out-of-state drug dealer is going to federal prison.  I’ve sent a record number of out-of-staters to federal prison for dealing drugs in my district and my foot is full throttle on the peddle to shut down these evildoers.”

Williams pled guilty in April, admitting that on October 16, 2017, he distributed a quantity of heroin to a confidential informant in Bluefield.

The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ashland, Kentucky man pled guilty to illegally stealing and rifling through mail parcels intended for veterans, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Michael Lawrence Collins, 48, was a truck driver for a company who contracted with the United States Postal Service to transport mail between Post Office facilities. Collins gained access to the mail by virtue of his employment as a contract truck driver.

“A despicable crime – stealing critical medications intended for those who served our Nation,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Collins was stealing pain medication for his own personal use that was intended for veterans in the Huntington area.  Collins was supposed to deliver the mail, not steal the mail.  I appreciate the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service to catch Collins so that veterans in the Huntington area will once again get their much needed medications.”

An investigation was initiated in 2018 by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service after receiving complaints that prescription medication packages sent from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Huntington were not received or the packages had been ripped open. Postal inspectors then identified the truck route in which the suspicious activity was occurring and conducted surveillance. Collins was identified as the suspect. On December 18, 2018, Postal Inspectors placed test packages into the mail stream on Collins’ mail route. Postal inspectors approached Collins on the dock of the Huntington Post Office, and Collins was found to have one of the test packages in his jacket. Collins confessed that he had been stealing and tearing open the medication parcels.

At the September 3, 2019 plea hearing, Collins admitted that on approximately eighteen occasions, from August 2018 through December 2018, he opened and removed the contents of sealed U.S. mail parcels that were labeled as being sent from the VAMC to people in the Huntington area. Collins admitted that he was looking for pain pills, such as hydrocodone, for his personal use.

Collins faces up to five years in prison when sentenced on December 9, 2019.  The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty to illegally accessing the medical records of six veterans, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jeffrey Miller, 39, an employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration in Huntington, pled guilty to six counts of unauthorized access of a computer.

“This is a very serious matter. Medical records are protected information and the expectation and right of privacy is paramount,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “Federal law requires employees of  the Veterans Benefits Administration to protect the medical records of our veterans.  Anyone that improperly accesses, uses or exploits veterans’ medical records will be held accountable.” 

Miller admitted that he illegally accessed the medical records of six veterans between January and May of 2018.  Miller further admitted that he took a picture of the medical records of former West Virginia State Senator Richard Ojeda, and then sent the picture to an acquaintance.

Miller faces up to one year in prison on each of the six counts of fraud in connection with computers when he is sentenced on December 9, 2019.

The Department of Veterans Affairs – Officer of the Inspector General and the FBI conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Stefan Hasselblad is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Cortney Shelton, of Chicago, Illinois, pled guilty today to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. 

“A felon with guns dealing heroin and cocaine base,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “As a result of his conviction, this “Johnny on the Spot” is going to be sent to a new spot – federal prison.”

An investigation was initiated in Scarbro, West Virginia by agents from the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force in November 2017 into drug trafficking activity by an individual known then only as “Johnny on the Spot.” The investigation later revealed that Johnny on the Spot was Shelton. Three controlled purchases of heroin were made from Shelton in late 2017 and early 2018. Agents then obtained a search warrant for a residence in Scarbro believed to be Shelton’s “stash house.” When the search warrant was executed, Shelton was present at the stash house, and detectives recovered two firearms as well as distribution quantities of heroin and cocaine base and other items related to drug trafficking.

At the plea hearing, Shelton, a convicted felon, admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin and cocaine base and that he possessed the firearms in order to protect himself from anyone who might try to steal the drugs or proceeds from the drug trafficking activity. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, a multi-agency task force designed to combat drug trafficking activity in Southern West Virginia.

Shelton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 21, 2019. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart is launching a public messaging campaign in conjunction with National Recovery Month.  The messages, which will begin airing on September 3, 2019, speak to both drug dealers contributing to the state’s opioid epidemic and West Virginians whose lives have been touched by substance use disorder.  The messages will be aired on radio stations on a statewide basis.   

September is National Recovery Month, which is aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrating the people who recover.  For more information about National Recovery Month visit https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/recovery-month/toolkit.

Messages that will air over the next two weeks are attached.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Shady Springs man pled guilty to a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Joshua Radcliffe, 36, pled guilty to conspiring with Mark T. Radcliffe to using and carrying firearms in relation to maintaining drug-involved premises.

“It’s a serious red flag when employees associated with a medical practice have to carry guns for protection because of the clientele and the cash coming in,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “Individuals fueled by greed who contribute to the opioid epidemic and prey on those suffering from addiction should take note – we will use every tool in our toolbox to hold you accountable.”

Radcliffe admitted that from 2010 through 2015, he was employed through PPPFD, Inc., the company that managed the daily operations of the HOPE Clinic. Radcliffe admitted that HOPE Clinic was predominately a cash based business and that the physicians at HOPE Clinic issued prescriptions for oxycodone and other Schedule II controlled substances to its customers not for legitimate medical purposes and outside the bounds of professional medical practice. Radcliffe worked at the Beckley and Beaver locations of the HOPE Clinic as the Clinic Manager. As the Clinic Manager, Radcliffe admitted to running the daily operations of the clinics and that PPPFD management made medical decisions that should have been made by the physicians and not by PPPFD employees.  Because of the types of customers coming to the HOPE Clinic locations, including the Beckley HOPE Clinic located on Carriage Drive and the Beaver HOPE Clinic located on Lockheed Drive, specifically people seeking Schedule II controlled substances to feed their addiction or to illegally distribute, Radcliffe admitted that he carried a firearm to work. He further admitted that he, and other management at PPPFD, encouraged other PPPFD employees, especially the narcotic auditors and clinic managers, to carry firearms to work for protection because of the customers and the amount of cash coming into the clinics each day.   

Radcliffe faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on January 15, 2020.    

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, the Kentucky State Police, the Beckley Police Department, the Virginia State Police, the Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  

United States District Judge Irene Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman and Steven Loew are handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Shanton Penn, 27, of Charleston, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

“We’re taking meth dealer after meth dealer off the streets,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “And we’ll continue to do so until our communities are meth free.”

Penn sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on the following dates: August 14, 2018, August 20, 2018.  Penn sold a total of 27.6 grams of methamphetamine for $675.   

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Senior Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher R. Arthur handled the prosecution. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that the Office on Violence Against Women has awarded $1,255,509 in grant funds to the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services (DJCS).

The STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Formula Grant Program) was authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 and reauthorized by subsequent legislation. The STOP Formula Grant Program encourages partnerships between law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The goal of the grant program is to develop and strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services, including community-based, culturally-specific services, in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

“I’ve traveled throughout my District to personally meet with our STOP teams and convey my office’s commitment to prosecute cases of violence against women” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The awarded grant funds are critical federal dollars that will support and enhance the important work of our STOP teams statewide.”

The West Virginia DJCS acts as the State Administering Agency (SAA) for this grant program.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A West Virginia man pled guilty today to federal drug trafficking offenses, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Tequan Montek Pratt, 24, pled guilty to two counts of distribution of marijuana before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Putnam County Narcotics Unit and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force - West.

“Pratt trafficked at least 20 kilos of marijuana,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “In this District, marijuana traffickers will be prosecuted just like any other drug trafficker.”

Pratt admitted that on March 29, 2018; March 30, 2018; and April 9, 2018, he sold a pound of marijuana to a confidential police informant at a duplex in Nitro, Putnam County, West Virginia.  Pratt also admitted that he and his associates were trafficking the marijuana from cities throughout California for several months.  Estimated conservatively, Pratt admitted to trafficking at least 20 kilograms of marijuana from California.  The United States indicated its intention to prove at sentencing that Pratt also possessed a small arsenal of firearms and almost 800 MDMA pills at two other houses in Putnam County.

Pratt faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on December 2, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Charleston women were sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine distribution, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Miranda Brandon, 38, of Charleston was sentenced to 138 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Sherry Gray, 57, of Charleston was sentenced to 109 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Brandon will also serve a term of at least five years of supervised release upon her release from prison, and Gray will serve a term of at least three years of supervised release. 

“An incredible amount of meth and other drugs, and guns – all in a drug house on Charleston’s West Side,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Long prison sentences well earned.”

Brandon and Gray previously admitted that in August and September 2018 they delivered drugs and collected money at the direction of Eugene Calvin Wells.  They also admitted helping Wells to distribute approximately six ounces of methamphetamine to an informant working for the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force during several transactions occurring in Kanawha County.  On September 28, 2018, the DEA executed a search warrant at Brandon and Gray’s residence on Ferguson Avenue in Charleston that Wells used to store and sell drugs.  Agents seized more than 565 grams of heroin, 22 grams of fentanyl, 505 grams of methamphetamine, 600 grams of pentedrone, a synthetic controlled substance, three firearms and approximately $3,053.  On the same day, DEA agents searched Wells’ residence in Akron, Ohio and seized more than 400 grams of heroin, seven firearms, and approximately $8,080.  Wells pled guilty April 25, 2019 resolving federal charges brought both in the Southern District of West Virginia and in the Northern District of Ohio.  He faces a mandatory ten years to life in prison when he is sentenced on October 7, 2019.

The DEA Task Force conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks and former Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Davis handled the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl in Huntington last year, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Anton Marcel Jeffries, 25, pled guilty in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Violent Crime & Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.

“Akron has become a particular problem point for West Virginia.  We don’t need Akron exporting their problems to our district.   More must be done to keep Akron troublemakers in Akron,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “A city that once exported tires, from the Rubber Capital of the world, is now exporting drugs to West Virginia and other great places.  It needs to end.  Jeffries had 108 grams of meth, 25 grams of heroin and 12 grams of fentanyl.  We’re working with our law enforcement partners to get Akron drug dealers out of here and send them to federal prison.”

Jeffries admitted that on September 19, 2018, in an apartment residence at 917 9th Ave. in Huntington, he possessed multiple plastic baggies of what was purported to be methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.  After forensic testing, the substances possessed by Jeffries were determined to be approximately 108 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of heroin, and 12 grams of fentanyl. 

Jeffries faces a minimum mandatory 5 years in prison with a maximum of 40 years when sentenced on December 2, 2019.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Keefe and Monica D. Coleman are handling the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a focused enforcement effort that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio, drug trafficker was sentenced to 131 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Rodney Lammar Hargrove, 48, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

“Another Akron drug dealer on Charleston’s West Side with 20 grams of pure meth, 6 grams of a mixture containing deadly carfentanyl, and a gun,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “A gram of carfentanyl could kill 50,000 people, so we’re very fortunate law enforcement intercepted this deadly mixture. Hargrove will now serve almost 11 years in prison before he can step foot in Akron or Charleston again.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, on February 16, 2018, police were investigating a known drug house on Frame Street in Charleston.  The investigators found heroin, needles, and other drug paraphernalia in the house.  As they were preparing to leave, Hargrove entered the house.  Hargrove admitted that he was carrying a gun, which the investigators retrieved for their safety.  The gun was a loaded .22 caliber revolver.  Hargrove also gave the investigators permission to retrieve drugs that he was carrying: approximately 20 grams of pure methamphetamine and 6 grams of a mixture containing carfentanyl, a powerful and deadly fentanyl analogue.

Investigators arrested Hargrove and transported him to the police station, where he confessed to investigators that he was a drug dealer.  Hargrove explained that he had been receiving about a half-ounce of methamphetamine and 10 grams of heroin at a time for resale in Charleston.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorneys Drew O. Inman and L. Alexander Hamner prosecuted the case.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  Three men prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) were sentenced in federal court in Huntington today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

“We are prosecuting each and every dealer of deadly opiates like heroin and fentanyl,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Vigorous enforcement is critically important in our fight against the opioid epidemic and in our efforts to reduce overdose deaths, and our record in this area is tough, tough, tough.  Rest assured, we will continue to do our part in this fight.”

In one case, two men from Detroit, Michigan, were sentenced to prison for their role in a federal heroin offense last year.  Drevonte Larnielle Patterson, 21, and Christian Vincent Gordon, 22, were each sentenced to 30 months in prison, after both previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.  Both were also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon their release from prison.

Patterson and Gordon previously admitted that on March 15, 2018, officers executed a search warrant at the apartment located at 156 1/2 Sixth Avenue in Huntington.  During the search, Patterson and Gordon were found in the bathroom attempting to flush approximately 49 grams of heroin down the toilet.  Officers seized the heroin which Patterson and Gordon admitted they intended to distribute.  Patterson and Gordon further admitted they distributed heroin from the apartment during the month of March 2018. 

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions.

In a separate case, a Huntington man was sentenced to federal prison for selling fentanyl.  Carl Dillow III, 29, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl.  Dillow previously admitted that on May 22, 2017, he met a confidential informant at the Adams Landing apartments in Huntington and gave the informant fentanyl in exchange for $70.     

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigations.   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.  

These cases were prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a focused enforcement effort that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A New Jersey man pled guilty today for his participation in a drug trafficking operation in Fayette County, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Larry Avery, 37, from New Jersey, and formerly of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to using a communication device to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and Oak Hill Police Department. 

“500 grams of cocaine,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Once again, law enforcement does a tremendous job in getting illicit drugs off the streets.  Operation Mountaineer Highway was a hugely successful effort in keeping a wide variety of illegal drugs out of our central and southern West Virginia communities.”

Avery admitted that on July 7, 2018, he used a communication device, his cell phone, to facilitate the distribution of over 500 grams of cocaine.  Avery admitted that a car registered in his name was stopped by the police.  Police obtained a search warrant for that car.  During a search of the car, officers found over 500 grams of cocaine hidden in a secret electronic compartment commonly referred to as a trap.  Avery further admitted that he knew the cocaine was to be distributed in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.           

Avery faces up to 8 years in federal prison and a $500,000.00 fine when he is sentenced on November 15, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Andrew J. Tessman are in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan man pled guilty to selling fentanyl in Huntington last year, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Mashal Franchuit Thomas, 25, pled guilty to distribution of fentanyl in federal court in Huntington.

“Thomas admitted to distributing up to 400 grams of heroin and fentanyl in Huntington over a period of almost three years,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Another Detroit drug dealer responsible for wreaking havoc on our people.  There’s no doubt that the City of Huntington and surrounding area are much safer as a result of this conviction.”

Thomas admitted that on February 8, 2018, an informant contacted him to purchase heroin.  Thomas agreed to meet the informant in the area of 14th Street West in Huntington and, when the informant arrived, Thomas distributed what was purported to be 5 grams of heroin.  After forensic testing, the substance distributed by Thomas was discovered to actually be fentanyl, a powerful opiate painkiller. 

Thomas further admitted that he was involved in distributing heroin and fentanyl in the Huntington area between July of 2015 and March of 2018, and that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 400 grams of heroin and fentanyl in Huntington during that period. 

Thomas faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on November 25, 2019.

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

This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a focused enforcement effort that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston doctor who practiced at Neurology & Pain Center, PLLC pled guilty to illegal distribution of controlled substances that were not for legitimate medical purposes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Muhammed Samer Nasher-Alneam admitted to writing prescriptions in July 2014 for oxycodone and methadone pills that were not within the bounds of professional medical practice or for legitimate medical purposes.  Pursuant to his guilty plea, Nasher agreed to permanently surrender both his medical license and DEA registration.  He further agreed to never seek reinstatement of a license to practice as a medical doctor in any other state.

“Nasher is now an admitted felon and faces up to ten years - TEN YEARS- in a federal prison. A drug dealer in a lab coat is still just a drug dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Nasher will never practice medicine again. Ever.  Nasher will never write another prescription. Ever. And Nasher will never treat another patient. Ever.  We’re cracking down hard across the board - medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists, street dealers and traffickers – in a multi-pronged aggressive approach intended to cut the head off the snake.  Medical professionals should take note that if they abuse the prescribing privileges of their profession, and I stress that they are a privilege, my office will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law and I will seek the maximum sentence in every case.”

Nasher was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending his December 2, 2019 sentencing.  Nasher has remained in custody since his arrest on July 27, 2018 - 393 days – as a result of the United States moving to detain him.  He faces at least 5 and up to 10 years in prison, as well as a $1 million fine at sentencing.  As part of his plea agreement, Nasher agreed to forfeit $149,480.75 in United States Currency and an Acura RDX Sport Utility Vehicle.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Insurance Commission conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorneys Alan McGonigal, Jennifer Herrald and Steve Loew, and former Assistant United States Attorneys C. Haley Bunn and Meredith Thomas handled the prosecution. 

This case was prosecuted by the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (OFADU), a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to identify and prosecute individuals that are contributors to the national opioid crisis.  The Southern District of West Virginia is one of 12 districts nationally to participate in the pilot program. 

The OFADU falls under the Appalachian Regional Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force which is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the ten U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA.  The ARPO Strike Force operates out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee areas, supporting the ten districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region.  In addition, the APRO Strike Force works closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, including State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced to 84 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jackie Harper, 27, of Charleston, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“Another convicted felon with a gun dealing meth,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And another conviction with a significant prison sentence.  We will continue to prosecute gun-toting drug dealers to the fullest extent of the law.”

Harper sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on the following dates: August 21, 2018, August 28, 2018,  August 30, 2018, September 10, 2018, September 11, 2018, and September 13, 2018.  Harper sold a total of 174.6 grams of methamphetamine for approximately $3,000.   On September 19, 2018, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) executed a search warrant and seized a gun on Harper.  Harper knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court for malicious assault. 

MDENT and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher R. Arthur handled the prosecution. 

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Justice Statistics report Immigration, Citizenship, and the Federal Justice System, 1998-2018:

“A remarkable statistic -- 64% of all federal arrests last year were of non-U.S. citizens. It is a significant drain of federal taxpayer funds to prosecute those that are not taxpayers and those who are not citizens of this great country. Non-U.S. citizen arrests are increasing at a dramatic and concerning pace. It is important that within our national borders and within my district that we continue to ensure public safety by ensuring everyone who is here is here legally and legitimately.  My office regularly and consistently prosecutes illegal reentry cases and we will continue to do so. I want to thank all of our federal, state and local partners across the nation including the remarkable work by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their courageous work to protect our citizens and the public.”

SDWVNews and USAttyStuart

 
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          WASHINGTON—In 2018, 64% of all federal arrests were of non-U.S. citizens, the Bureau of Justice Statistics announced today. In comparison, 37% of all federal arrests in 1998 were of non-U.S. citizens. Federal arrests of non-U.S. citizens more than tripled from 1998 to 2018 (rising 234%), while federal arrests of U.S. citizens rose 10%.

          While non-U.S. citizens make up 7% of the U.S. population (per the U.S. Census Bureau for 2017), they accounted for 15% of all federal arrests and 15% of prosecutions in U.S. district court for non-immigration crimes in 2018. Non-U.S. citizens accounted for 24% of all federal drug arrests and 25% of all federal property arrests, including 28% of all federal fraud arrests.

          The country of citizenship of persons arrested by federal law enforcement changed notably over time. From 1998 to 2018, Mexican citizens’ share of federal arrests rose from 28% to 40%. Citizens of Central American countries’ share of federal arrests rose from 1% to 20% during the same period, while U.S. citizens’ share of federal arrests fell from 63% to 36%. Federal arrests of Central Americans rose more than 30-fold over two decades, from 1,171 in 1998 to 39,858 in 2018. The number of federal arrests of Mexican citizens (78,062) exceeded the number of federal arrests of U.S. citizens (70,542) in 2018.

          From 1998 to 2018, the portion of all federal arrests that took place in the five federal judicial districts along the U.S.-Mexico border (out of 94 judicial districts nationwide) almost doubled, increasing from 33% to 65%. These five judicial districts are the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, the Western District of Texas, and the Southern District of Texas. In 2018, a quarter of all federal drug arrests took place in these five districts. The number of Central Americans arrested in these five districts almost tripled in one year, rising from 13,549 in 2017 to 37,590 in 2018.

          Across 20 years, 95% of the increase in federal arrests was due to immigration crimes. From 1998 to 2018, federal immigration arrests increased 5-fold (from 20,942 to 108,667), rising more than 50,000 in one year from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, 90% of suspects arrested for federal immigration crimes were male, while 10% were female. Eighty-five percent of federal arrests of non-U.S. citizens in 2018 were for immigration offenses, and another 5% of arrests were immigration-related. 

          Of suspects prosecuted in U.S. district court in 2018, 57% were U.S. citizens and 43% were non-U.S. citizens. Almost all (99.7%) of the non-citizens prosecuted in U.S. district court were prosecuted for something other than first-time illegal entry.

          The five crime types for which non-U.S. citizens were most likely to be prosecuted in U.S. district court were illegal reentry (72% of prosecutions), drugs (13%), fraud (4.5%), alien smuggling (4%), and misuse of visas (2%). The five crime types for which U.S. citizens were most likely to be prosecuted in U.S. district court were drugs (38% of prosecutions), weapons (21%), fraud (12%), public order (12%), and alien smuggling (6%).

          The report Immigration, Citizenship, and the Federal Justice System, 1998-2018 (NCJ 253116), was written by BJS statistician Mark Motivans. The report, related documents and additional information about BJS’s statistical publications and programs are available on the BJS website at www.bjs.gov.

          The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Jeffrey H. Anderson is the director.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man was sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Turner Williams, 28, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Williams previously admitted that on January 9, 2018, agents with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of a confidential informant, conducted a controlled purchase of firearms.  During the controlled purchase, Williams admitted that he retrieved two guns from another location and returned to the site of the controlled purchase and delivered a Taurus, PT111, 9mm semi-automatic pistol to the confidential informant working with the ATF.  At the sentencing hearing it was established that Williams was subject to an increased sentence due to one of the firearms containing a high capacity magazine which held 35 rounds of ammunition.  He admitted that knew he was not supposed to possess any firearms because he was a convicted felon.  Williams was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted in 2013 in Raleigh County Circuit Court of the felony offense of Wanton Endangerment with a Firearm. 

The ATF, the Beckley Police Department, and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Project Parkersburg defendants pled guilty to federal methamphetamine charges,  announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Todd Land, 41,  of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Marshall Polan, 31, of Parkersburg, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

“As a result of Project Parkersburg, we seized 121 pounds of  ICE methamphetamine and significant amounts of a smorgasbord of other drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’ve shuttered this drug trafficking organization and we’re holding drug dealers like Land and Polan accountable.”   

Land admitted that he facilitated a transaction between Parkersburg methamphetamine dealers and an individual in Phoenix, Arizona to transport a large drug shipment from Arizona to Dayton, Ohio where the drugs were to be divided for distribution in Dayton and in Parkersburg.    When the shipment was delayed, Land traveled to Dayton where he mediated a dispute between the transporter and the methamphetamine dealers.  On September 19, 2018, police intercepted the shipment during a traffic stop of the transporter, Troy Pastorino.  The shipment contained 121 pounds of pure methamphetamine and approximately 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) of cocaine.

Polan admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy whose role was to sell methamphetamine to users in the Parkersburg area. 

Land faces 10 years to life in prison and Polan faces up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on December 4, 2019.  Pastorino pled guilty in February 2019 and also faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 23, 2020.

Land and Polan were prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Police Department, the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A federal jury found a Michigan man guilty today on charges of impersonating an Assistant United States Attorney.  After a two-day trial, the jury convicted Joseph Ziegler, 55, on two counts of impersonating a federal officer or employee.  

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in April 2019, in an attempt to avoid an arrest or charge for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Ziegler told Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Samples that he was a U.S. Attorney on assignment by Mike Stuart.  Ziegler also told towing company employees that he was a Federal Prosecutor and would prosecute the towing company if the company did not return the vehicle Ziegler was driving, despite Ziegler not having any proof of ownership.

“Clearly not the type of person that could ever work for me. First - not smart. Second - an absolute fraudster. Finally - an absolute fake,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Impersonating a federal officer is a serious offense that we will prosecute every time. It can be potentially dangerous to the public and we will not tolerate it. If you want to work for me, you need to work hard, study hard, get awesome grades and be prepared to work even harder. My team doesn’t fake its way through.  It is the best and toughest United States Attorney’s Office in the nation.  I want to thank Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Samples and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case.  I commend the work of Stefan Hasselblad and Monica Coleman, the real Assistant United States Attorneys on assignment by me, as well as the rest of our trial team.”

Ziegler faces 3 years in prison when sentenced on December 2, 2019.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Stefan Hasselblad and Monica Coleman prosecuted the case.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the trial. 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A South Shore, Kentucky man pled guilty to a sex offense involving a minor, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Charles Wayne Logan, 39, pled guilty to traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor.

“Parents please monitor the online activity of your children,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “There are far too many people like Logan surfing the net and utilizing popular cell phone applications to entice and exploit our children.  We must work together to keep our children safe from predators.”

Logan admitted that he began communicating via a cell phone application with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female on January 10, 2019.  The conversations were sexual in nature and involved Logan telling the minor he planned to engage in sexual intercourse with her when they met in person. Logan also sent the purported minor a video depicting himself masturbating. On January 14, 2019, Logan, a long-haul truck driver, arranged to meet with the purported minor at a location in Huntington after he drove back to Kentucky from Indiana. When Logan arrived at the meeting location, he was placed under arrest.

Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, Logan faces eight years in prison when sentenced on November 25, 2019. Upon release from prison, Logan will be required to serve a term of supervised release of fifteen years and will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force and the West Virginia States Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers 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.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An armed methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to 102 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandon Douglas Tomblin, 36, of Huntington, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

“We don’t want armed meth dealers on our streets,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “So we’re doing are best to put them behind bars for as long as possible.”

On July 29, 2018, an officer with the Huntington Police Department was on patrol along 15th Street in Huntington when he initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tomblin for nearly hitting a parked car.  Subsequent to Tomblin’s arrest, the officer located approximately 22 grams of a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.  On August 4, 2018, an officer with the Huntington Police Department responded to 401 Bridge Street in Huntington for report of a suspicious person.  The officer detained the individual who was identified as Tomblin, at which time the officer observed a gun nearby, specifically a .357 Sig Sauer pistol.  The officer also located drugs on Tomblin’s person in an amount consistent with drug trafficking. 

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe handled the prosecution. 

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

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1.2 Kilos of Fentanyl Seized

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Huntington has returned a six count superseding indictment charging Steven Dale McCallister, 45, and his father, Larry McCallister, 76, a retired Cabell County Deputy Sheriff, with various drug and gun crimes.  Steven Dale McCallister was arrested on June 12, 2019, at the McCallister home in Barboursville following the execution of a search warrant on the residence.  During the search, law enforcement officers seized approximately 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, 300 grams of methamphetamine, over $8,000 in cash, $4,000 of which was from an earlier undercover purchase of fentanyl.  A Smith and Wesson, Model 686, .357 revolver was also seized.  Larry McCallister was at home and present during the search.

The superseding indictment charges Steven McCallister with distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm.  If convicted on all counts, he faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.  The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $4,040 in U.S. Currency, the seized firearm and a 2007 Cadillac.

Larry McCallister is charged in the superseding indictment with maintaining a drug-involved premises and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.   If convicted on all charges, he faces a sentence of 5 to 40 years in prison.

“This is a significant case on many levels and a substantial event for the greater Huntington region,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Had the fentanyl in this case hit the streets, potentially more than 750,000 people could have lost their lives to overdose. Massive quantities of fentanyl. Massive quantities of methamphetamine. And a gun. All of this incredibly heinous activity was based out of a normal house on a normal street in Barboursville. There was nothing special about this house in this typical neighborhood, in this All-American town, except that it was a haven for the poisons of death and the home of a retired Cabell County Deputy Sheriff.”

The investigation was conducted by members of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West and the West Virginia State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey is prosecuting the case.

Please note:  An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

SDWVNews and USAttyStuart

 
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Mike Stuart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement officials, will hold a press conference in Huntington today -- Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. -- regarding an indictment.

Where:            Sidney L. Christie Federal Building

                         845 Fifth Avenue

                        Huntington, WV

When:              Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A St. Albans man pled guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Gary Scott, 35, entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm before United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the St. Albans Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, Scott admitted that on April 23, 2019, he was driving a vehicle in St. Albans under the influence of narcotics. St. Albans Police Officers responded to the area where the defendant was driving and located his parked vehicle in a parking lot. Officers eventually located Scott in a nearby alley. Scott admitted to the officers that he had marijuana on his person. During a search of Scott, officers located syringes, marijuana, Alprazolam, heroin, and methamphetamine. Officers detained Scott and transported him back to his vehicle. Upon arriving at the vehicle, Scott informed an officer that he had a firearm in the car and that he knew he was not allowed to possess firearms. Officers recovered a loaded .357 Brazteck revolver in the glove box of the vehicle. Scott had previously been convicted of Attempted First Degree Robbery in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Scott faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 6, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution.

SDWVNews and USAttyStuart

 
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A prolific South Charleston methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to 12 years in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Mary Haynes, 38, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

“If you deal meth, we’re going to push for the longest sentences possible.  Haynes and her co-defendant will be spending 12 and 14 years in federal prison, respectively,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re making our communities safer by putting drug dealers behind bars for as long as possible.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, on April 4, 2017, police investigators used a confidential informant to purchase a quarter ounce of pure methamphetamine from Haynes in South Charleston.  Haynes’ co-defendant, Jason Haddox, supplied Haynes with the methamphetamine.

On April 7, 2017, investigators executed a search warrant on the house Haynes and Haddox shared in South Charleston.  The investigators found around two ounces of pure methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and thousands of dollars of drug trafficking proceeds throughout the house.  Haynes told an investigator on-scene that she had trafficked around 20 ounces of methamphetamine per month in the past.

Haddox was previously sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed both sentences.  The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Nitro Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, the South Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.  The cases were prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney Gabe Wohl and Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A dangerous methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to 20 years and 6 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Bruce Lee Boardman, 38, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime

“A sentence of over 20 years and Boardman had an extensive history of violence.  Since I became United States Attorney, the average length of sentence has more than doubled.  We are tough on those involved in drug and gun crimes,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Boardman was a violent meth dealer that earned every year and month of his prison sentence.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, on June 30, 2017, police in Nitro, West Virginia, stopped Boardman for driving his truck erratically.  Boardman had a revoked license because of a previous DUI conviction.  Due to an odor of marijuana, officers searched Boardman’s truck and found marijuana, almost 50 grams of methamphetamine, and a digital scale.  Officers also found two loaded pistols under the driver’s and passenger’s seats.

On December 12, 2017, police investigators used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Shaine Ray Dingess at a house in Nellis, West Virginia.  The informant’s hidden camera captured Boardman inside the home supplying Dingess with approximately a quarter ounce of methamphetamine.  During the drug transaction, Boardman was holding a pistol in his hand.

The United States argued that Boardman’s extensive criminal history included many convictions for dangerous and violent crimes, justifying a lengthy sentence.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Drew O. Inman prosecuted the case.

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 Defendant fraudulently obtained over $77,000 dollars in benefits

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. –  Kimberly Hall was sentenced to federal prison for one year and a day for the felony offense of fraudulently obtaining Social Security income benefits, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Hall, 43, of  Bluefield, previously entered a guilty plea on March 21, 2019.   She was ordered to pay restitution back to the United States Treasury in the amount of $77,717 and will be placed on supervised release for three years after she discharges her prison sentence.  Stuart praised the work of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and SSA-Office of Inspector General (OIG). 

“A despicable, heinous, selfish crime.  Social Security benefits are critical for so many West Virginia families,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re not going to tolerate anyone stealing from this or any other federal benefits program.”

Hall applied for Title II Social Security benefits in 2007 and to be a representative payee for a minor child.  These Social Security benefits are based on income and living arrangements and create a duty to report a change in income or living arrangements.  From 2011 to 2016, the minor child no longer resided in Hall’s home.  Hall did not report this change in living arrangements, which would have lowered the amount of money she was receiving each month.  Rather, Hall indicated that the minor child resided at her home when the child no longer resided with her. From August 2011 through September 2016, Hall received $77,717 of Social Security benefits in excess of the amount she was due. On November 9, 2016, Hall gave a false statement to a SSA claims representative concerning the minor child.  SSA-OIG investigators investigated the claims and Hall admitted to them that the she had given false statements and that the minor child no longer resided at her home.  She also knew that she was receiving money that she was not entitled to receive.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. 

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