Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man who trafficked methamphetamine was sentenced to six years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Meth is being trafficked in every county in the District,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re working hard with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to identify meth dealers and hold them accountable.”

Shaine Ray Dingess, 41, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.  As established by public court filings and hearings, on December 12, 2017, Dingess distributed $50 worth of methamphetamine to a confidential police informant at Dingess’ residence in Nellis, West Virginia, where Dingess’ co-defendant, Bruce Lee Boardman, was present.  Boardman supplied Dingess with the methamphetamine and brandished a firearm during the drug transaction.  On January 10, 2018, Dingess gave a small amount of marijuana to a confidential police informant.  On February 6, 2018, Dingess again sold $50 worth of ice methamphetamine to a confidential police informant.  Finally, on April 11, 2018, police investigators spotted Dingess while he was walking in Nellis.  When asked if he was carrying any drugs, Dingess turned over five small packages of ice methamphetamine.

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

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- An Ironton, Ohio man who possessed drugs and guns in Huntington was sentenced to eight years in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.

“Eight years in prison for yet another drug dealer with a gun,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are prosecuting record and historic numbers of drug and gun defendants to keep our children, our families and our communities safe.”

Bryan Patrick, 30, previously pled guilty to knowingly and intentionally possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. On September 26, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department responded to the Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington and found Patrick slumped over in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Patrick admitted to officers that he had used heroin earlier in the day and passed out. Officers recovered two loaded firearms between the driver’s seat and the center console in the vehicle. One firearm was a Walther PP22 semi-automatic pistol, which was fully loaded with a round in the chamber, and the other was a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol. In his pocket, Patrick had one package of methamphetamine that weighed approximately 8.22 grams and another package of methamphetamine that weighed 56.76 grams. Patrick also had digital scales in his vehicle. Patrick admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and that he carried the firearms for his protection.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution. United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman caught selling heroin last year in Huntington pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Tonya Lynn Thompson, 36, entered a guilty plea to distributing heroin in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.

“Deadly and powerful fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Too many drug dealers like Thompson have peddled their poisons in Huntington.  We’re doing our best to hold drug dealers accountable.”

On July 11, 2018, an informant working at the direction of the Sheriff’s Department went to Thompson’s residence located at 831 15th Street in Huntington to purchase heroin.  Insider the residence, Thompson sold the informant heroin in exchange for $140.  Thompson also admitted as part of her plea agreement that she assisted in the sale of fentanyl to an informant the prior day at her residence.

On July 16, 2018 deputies executed a search warrant at Thompson’s residence.  During the search, deputies recovered approximately 12 grams of fentanyl and approximately 48 grams of methamphetamine.  Also as part of her plea agreement, Thompson admitted that she distributed fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in Huntington between July of 2017 and July of 2018.  Thompson further admitted that she allowed others to stay in her residence for the purchase of storing and selling drugs. 

Thompson faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on August 5, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.  The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 10 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Henry Davis, also known as “Hen”, 36, previously pled guilty to distributing heroin.

Davis admitted that on September 29, 2015 he distributed heroin to a confidential informant in Huntington. 

“Thanks to the excellent work of the Huntington Police Department, another heroin dealer is off the streets and headed to a federal pen,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Selling heroin is not a good career option.”

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.    United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Samuel Crawford, 40, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base or “crack.”

“Crack is not a thing of the past,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Crack was an epidemic and today it’s even more powerful and more deadly.  Selling crack to make money, it’s a story repeated to often on the streets of Huntington.”

On December 4, 2016, officers with the Huntington Police Department conducted a search warrant at Crawford’s residence at 204 West 6th Avenue in Huntington.  Officers seized approximately 12 grams of crack cocaine.  Crawford admitted he intended to sell the cocaine for money. 

Crawford faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 5, 2019.

The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

 

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man, Juan Isom, 55, pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

On July 13, 2018, Troopers with the West Virginia State Police Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West executed a search warrant at the residence of Isom.  Troopers located a Taurus .38 caliber revolver on the shelf of Isom’s nightstand.  Isom was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2006 felony drug conviction in Gaston County, North Carolina.

Isom faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 5, 2019.

The Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West conducted the investigation.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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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A Detroit, Michigan, man was sentenced for knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Joshua McCarver, 20, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Huntington Police Department.

“No connections to West Virginia except selling drugs.  That’s all this guy did in West Virginia.  We will continue to prosecute every fentanyl case and fight back against out-of-state drug dealers like McCarver,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Drug dealers from places like Detroit, Columbus and elsewhere have brought death and despair to the hills of West Virginia.”

Joshua McCarver, 20, previously pled guilty to knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl. On February 19, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department’s Special Emphasis Unit utilized a confidential informant to arrange a controlled buy of heroin from McCarver. McCarver arrived at the buy location in the West End of Huntington and provided the confidential informant with a substance he represented to be heroin in exchange for $70. Testing by the West Virginia State Police Lab confirmed the substance to actually be fentanyl.  Officers conducted another buy from McCarver in January 2018 that also involved fentanyl. Historical information gathered by the Special Emphasis Unit revealed that McCarver had been dealing heroin in the Huntington area for at least six months prior to the January 2018 controlled buy.

While imposing the sentence, the Court noted that McCarver had no connections to West Virginia and came to the Huntington area just to sell drugs and make money. Thus, he was the type of drug dealer from a big city like Detroit, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio, that this community had come to fear.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman.

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

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Boone County women were sentenced today for federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Megan Rose Mitchell, age 38, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.   Mitchell’s sister-in-law, Marlena Sperry, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

“Sisters-in-law and partners in crime,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Boone County needs new businesses and entrepreneurs, but none like this sister act. Meth is more powerful today than ever before and we’re working overtime to lock up meth dealers whether they are sisters-in-law or sisters in fact.”

Between July of 2016 until August of 2017, Mitchell sold methamphetamine to customers in Boone County, West Virginia. Mitchell and co-defendant, Marlena Sperry, would travel together, usually to Charleston, to meet their source of supply, Avante Jones. Jones sold them various amounts of methamphetamine for resale. Mitchell and Sperry would then return to Boone County and sell what they had purchased from Jones.  On occasion, when a customer would arrange a purchase from Mitchell, Sperry would actually distribute the methamphetamine. On other occasions, an uncharged third party actually distributed the methamphetamine for Mitchell.

Mitchell and Sperry also brought other customers to Jones.  In exchange for bringing customers, Jones sold the pair methamphetamine at a reduced rate. Mitchell and Sperry communicated with Jones primarily through Facebook Messenger. Investigating agents obtained Facebook Messenger posts of Mitchell, Sperry and Jones.  Those posts discuss meetings to conduct drug transactions with themselves as well as for others.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.   Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution. The hearings were held before United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

 

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Faces up to 30 years incarceration for gun and drug possession at local casino

CHARLESTON, W.Va.—A Charleston man pled guilty to federal drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Michael A. Parker, 37, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2019 and faces up to 30 years in prison.  Parker also agreed to forfeit the firearm and $14,225.87 cash that was recovered from the scene.  Stuart commended the investigation by the Nitro Police Department, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory and Mardi Gras Casino Security.

“Cocaine, a firearm, lots of cash and running from police,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Parker evidently didn’t learn anything from his previous federal drug conviction and needs to go back and try again.” 

Parker admitted that on July 28, 2018 at 5:00a.m., he had driven to the  Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro, West Virginia.  He double-parked the car he was driving and went into the casino.  Casino security noticed the double-parked car and also saw a gun on the floorboard of the car.  Casino security contacted the Nitro Police to get their assistance in asking Parker to move his car.  Parker initially agreed to move the car and offered to meet the police outside.  Instead, Parker walked out a different door of the casino, fled into the woods near the casino, and hid.  Casino security workers monitored Parker’s flight with security cameras and relayed this information to the Nitro Police.  Parker was quickly located and eventually agreed to return to his car.  Once there, Parker agreed to unlock his car and the police recovered the gun.  While securing the firearm, the Nitro Police officer immediately noticed a quantity of cocaine and a large stack of cash in the car.  Once this evidence was removed from the car, Parker fled a second time into the woods.  He was eventually apprehended with the assistance of a K9 unit.  Police recovered a large bag of cocaine, 5 smaller bags of cocaine, a bag of marijuana, $14,225.87 cash and a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition and an extended magazine.  Parker is a prior convicted felon, having a 2004 federal conviction of distribution of cocaine base and possession with the intent to deliver cocaine.  Parker has not been pardoned or otherwise had his right to own a firearm restored.  The ATF traced the firearm and concluded it had traveled in interstate commerce.  The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory tested the recovered drugs and confirmed that they were cocaine and marijuana, both controlled substances.

Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Kristin Scott are handling the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing. 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A South Charleston woman pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Mary Haynes, 27, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Haynes and her codefendant, Jason Haddox, were prominent ice methamphetamine traffickers, distributing at least 20 ounces of methamphetamine per month throughout the Kanawha Valley.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Nitro Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.

“Powerful, powerful meth.  So many young lives are being ruined by involvement in the drug trade,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “My office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in our work to protect West Virginia families by removing any and all drug dealers from our streets.”

On April 4, 2017, police investigators used a confidential informant to make a video-recorded purchase of a quarter ounce of pure methamphetamine from Haynes in South Charleston.  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 will be sentenced on August 14, 2019.  She faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and up to life imprisonment.  Haddox was previously sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for his involvement.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar man pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Kenneth Stover, 43, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On August 31, 2017 detectives from MDENT searched Stover’s 18th Street residence in Dunbar as a result of citizen complaints of drug activity where they recovered two firearms from Stover’s bedroom.  Stover was prohibited from possessing the firearms as a result of having been convicted of conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory in Putnam County in 2004.     

Stover faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 24, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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 that Theresa Jurae-Lekole Woodson, 31, of Charleston, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.  Stuart commended the efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). 

“Distribution of heroin and cocaine. Selling it for money. Tragic,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Woodson was peddling multiple illicit drugs in Charleston.  As a result of MDENT’s good work, she will now spend some time in federal prison for her criminal activity.”

Woodson pled guilty in December 2018, admitting that she intended to distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack in March 2018.  MDENT detectives used an informant to purchase cocaine and heroin from Woodson in late February and early March 2018.  On March 12, 2018, MDENT executed a search warrant at her Woodward Drive residence in Charleston where they recovered 17 grams of crack, 27 grams of heroin, and a small amount of cocaine powder along with a firearm.   

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Putnam County man who lied on an ATF Form in an attempt to obtain firearms pled guilty today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

“’Lyin’ and tryin’ or ‘lyin’ and buyin’ are serious federal offenses,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “All lawful citizens have a right to purchase a firearm.  Every citizen has an obligation to tell the truth when filling out the paperwork to obtain one.”

Stephen Charles Cyrus, 35, admitted that on March 20, 2018, he attempted to obtain four firearms from Ultimate Pawn & Performance.  On the ATF form he lied about whether he had been previously convicted of domestic violence.  Cyrus was prohibited from obtaining firearms under federal law because he was convicted of domestic battery on January 19, 2018 in Putnam County, West Virginia. 

Cyrus faces up to 5 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 29, 2019.

The ATF conducted the investigation. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor prosecuted the case.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County woman was convicted of a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Ashley Nichole Rhodes, age 24, of Chesapeake, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“No one in our communities is immune from being victimized by criminal activity related to drug dealing,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The communities of the Upper Kanawha Valley are suffering because of drug dealers and the mayhem they cause. We are doing everything we can do – in every corner of the district – to hold drug dealers accountable and to kick them out of our neighborhoods.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, on August 16, 2018, a man reported to Kanawha County deputies that his house in Rand, West Virginia, was burglarized.  The burglars stole six firearms, three digital cameras, vehicle titles, $1,000 in savings bonds, and various other personal items.  

Later that day, a Deputy with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department found some of the stolen items in a backpack outside of an empty, abandoned house on Church Drive.  The Deputy spotted another dilapidated, abandoned house nearby, which was open.  After entering the house and announcing his presence, the Deputy found Mason Laviro Scragg lying on a mattress.  One of the stolen firearms, a 12 gauge shotgun, was protruding from under the mattress directly beneath Scragg.  Rhodes was found hiding behind a mirror nearby.  Deputies recovered close to five grams of methamphetamine in the room, which Rhodes later claimed.  Scragg previously pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon.

Rhodes is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when she is sentenced on July 31, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. 

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Richard Pardue entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with distribution of heroin.

“Dealing drugs, no matter the quantity will land you behind bars,” said United States Mike Stuart.  “Since becoming United States Attorney, our number one priority has been a sense of urgency to fight the opioid epidemic.  We fight that fight with every tool we have every day.”

Pardue admitted that on January 18, 2017, he met a confidential informant in Ona, West Virginia.  He gave the informant half of a gram of heroin in exchange for $60.     

Pardue faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 29, 2019.

The Violent Drug and Crime Task Force West conducted the investigation.   The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan, man who trafficked heroin from Detroit into Charleston was sentenced to 41 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Charleston Police Department.

Sean Bernard Williams, 46, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.  On November 6, 2014, Williams traveled by bus from Detroit to the Transit Mall in downtown Charleston.  Williams then got into a vehicle and hid nearly 150 grams of heroin under his seat.  Police investigators stopped Williams’ vehicle after it drove through a stop sign.  The investigators received consent to search the vehicle and quickly discovered Williams’ heroin.

“Williams brought 150 grams of heroin with him from Detroit to peddle on our streets,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Detroit drug dealers have been a problem and we’ve locked up a big number of Detroit drug dealers. This is another and there will be many more if they bring their poisons to the towns in my district.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr presided over the plea hearing.

 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man who admitted to selling oxycodone and heroin was sentenced today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Steven Rumbold, 49, of Glen Morgan, Raleigh County, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for distributing oxycodone and heroin.   Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

“Those who continue to perpetuate the opioid epidemic will be prosecuted,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “West Virginians have already paid too high a price at the hands of drug dealers like Rumbold.”

Rumbold previously admitted that on July 25, 2015, he sold oxycodone to a confidential informant working with the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.  Rumbold also previously admitted to selling additional quantities of oxycodone and heroin from his home in Glen Morgan to the same informant on at least two different dates.  On August 18, 2015, police officers executed a search warrant at defendant’s home and found additional quantities of controlled substances and firearms.  

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

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart today announced that he will host a public safety community forum in Greenbrier County, West Virginia on May 2, 2019.  The forums, presented in partnership with West Virginia’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions, continue to be held at locations throughout the Southern District of West Virginia to provide an opportunity for an open discussion on substance abuse, violent crime, school safety, and other public safety issues currently impacting local communities.   City and county government officials, public health officials, school administrators, teachers, parents, students, church leaders, residents and area law enforcement representatives are encouraged to attend the community forums.

The Greenbrier County community forum will begin at 6:00pm on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (Alumni Building), 400 N. Lee Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia.

For more information, please email Public Information Officer/Law Enforcement Coordinator Deanna Eder at deanna.eder@usdoj.gov.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that four individuals charged as part of Operation Mountaineer Highway appeared in federal court.

“Operation Mountaineer Highway dismantled a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was wreaking havoc in our southern West Virginia counties,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “As you can see by these cases, this DTO was peddling a full smorgasbord of illicit drugs.  This takedown took dozens of dealers and significant quantities of drugs off the streets – a job well done by our law enforcement partners.” 

Carla Remy, 41, of Oak Hill, and Terry Remy, 40, of Scarbro, who were formerly married, were both sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.  Both Carla Remy and Terry Remy previously admitted to participating in a drug trafficking organization by supplying methamphetamine to at least one other member of the organization knowing it was the purpose and intent of that individual to redistribute the methamphetamine in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.  At the plea hearings, it was established that both defendants made several trips to South Carolina to purchase methamphetamine, and then returned to West Virginia to distribute the drugs in and around Fayette County.   It was further established that the defendants made between 8 and 10 trips to South Carolina.  On July 8, 2018, a West Virginia State Trooper stopped the car driven by Carla Remy for speeding as it was returning from South Carolina.  Terry Remy was a passenger in the car.  During a search of the car, law enforcement officers found 333.78 grams of methamphetamine.   Carla Remy admitted the methamphetamine had been purchased in South Carolina and the plan was to sell it in West Virginia.  As part of the plea, the car being used by the Remys on July 8, 2018, has been forfeited to the United States.   

Eric Coleman, 21, and John D. Toney, also known as “JD,” 19, both from Scarbro, both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, and a quantity of oxycodone.   Toney admitted that from October 2017 through July 31, 2018, that he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine in Fayette County, West Virginia.  Toney admitted that during this time period, he participated in the distribution of oxycodone pills, assisted other members of the drug trafficking organization in acquiring over 100 grams of heroin on July 16, 2018, and further admitted to distributing more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.  In a separate hearing, it was established that Eric Coleman also participated in the same drug trafficking organization.  It was determined that during the time period between October 2017, and July 31, 2018, Coleman assisted his father and Toney in distributing oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine.  Coleman previously admitted to law enforcement that he was assisting his father in distributing quantities of oxycodone in Fayette County.  It was further established that during this time period, Coleman also distributed over 100 grams of heroin, and more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.  Most of the distributions of controlled substances occurred at the Coleman’s residence in Scarbro.     

Both Toney and Coleman face a mandatory minimum period of five years and up to forty years in prison and a $5,000,000.00.  Coleman is scheduled for sentencing on July 10, 2019 and Toney is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2019.   

The investigation dubbed Operation Mountaineer Highway stretched from West Virginia to South Carolina and New Jersey and resulted in federal and state charges being brought against a total of 38 individuals, with 12 defendants being charged in federal indictments.  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. 

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. The hearings were held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

 

 

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Single Largest Prescription Opioid Law Enforcement Operation in History - Charges Brought Against 60 Individuals, Including 53 Medical Professionals

Charges involve over 350 thousand prescriptions for controlled substances and over 32 million pills

CHARLESTON, W.VA. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart joined multiple law enforcement partners today in Cincinnati, Ohio, to announce enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts, including 31 doctors, 7 pharmacists, 8 nurse practitioners, and 7 other licensed medical professionals for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes.  In addition, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that since June 2018, it has excluded over 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.  Since July 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued 31 immediate suspension orders, 129 orders to show cause, and received 1386 surrenders for cause nationwide for violations of the Controlled Substances Act. 

“Today’s is an important day for West Virginia and the nation,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “The single largest prescription opioid law enforcement operation focused solely on Appalachia and the poison peddlers that have wreaked havoc, chaos and despair on our citizens and communities. Today’s effort is only the first of many more significant enforcement efforts to ensure the safety of our citizens. Drug dealers in lab coats are still drug dealers. My office and our dedicated law enforcement partners in the Southern District of West Virginia have been actively engaged in identifying and holding drug dealers accountable and making sure that abusive medical professionals that put profits before patients never write another prescription or treat another patient ever again.”

As part of today’s takedown, Dr. Marc J. Spelar, a psychiatrist in Huntington, West Virginia, was arrested.  Spelar is charged by Indictment with 10 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances involving more than 800 prescriptions and over 17,000 opioid pills.  He distributed Schedule II narcotics including dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and amphetamine salt, to a patient who did not have a medical need for the drugs and whom the doctor never examined even though the patient had a history of abusing drugs. 

In addition to the cases announced today, Attorney General Barr and U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that the ARPO Strike Force will expand into the Western District of Virginia, making it the tenth ARPO Strike Force district.  ARPO is a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for ten federal districts in six states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  In addition, the operation includes the participation of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and multiple State Medicaid Fraud Control Units.  The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids. 

The charges announced today involve individuals contributing to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on medical professionals involved in the unlawful distribution of opioids and other prescription narcotics, a priority for the Department.  According to the CDC, approximately 115 Americans die every day of an opioid-related overdose.  

Participating in today’s press conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, were Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen for the Western District of Virginia; Executive Assistant Director Amy Hess of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Alec Alexander.

The ARPO Strike Force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the ten U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region, including the newly added Western District of Virginia, 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 the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. 

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion.  The Medicare Fraud Strike Force, including the ARPO Strike Force, has charged more than 200 individuals with opioid-related crimes.

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For any patients impacted by the law enforcement operations, DOJ, DEA, HHS-OIG, HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, CDC’s Opioid Rapid Response Team and all 5 State Departments of Health are deploying federal and state-level strategies to address patient harm and insure continuity of care.  Additional information regarding available treatment programs and where patients can turn for assistance is available as follows:

Alabama: The Alabama Department of Mental Health has a dedicated telephone number to connect those affected by the closure. The toll-free substance abuse number is 1-844-307-1760.   Information about substance abuse and opioids is available at the following websites:

http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/pharmacy/opioid-and-heroin.html

https://mh.alabama.gov/understanding-the-opioid-crisis/

Kentucky: If you are in Kentucky and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 833-8KY-HELP or logging in at Findhelpnowky.org

Ohio: If you are seeking help in Ohio, please call the OhioMHAS patient helpline, at 1-877-275-6364

Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee:

• For a referral to addiction treatment services, call the Tennessee REDLINE: 800-889-9789.
• In a mental health crisis, call the Statewide Crisis Line: 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471).
• For help accessing substance abuse or mental health services call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. This line is staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT.

West Virginia: If you are in West Virginia and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 1-844-HELP-4WV or logging in at https://HelpandHopeWV.org

For individuals seeking help in other states, please call 1-800-662-HELP

If you, a family member, friend or loved one believe you may be a victim in any of these cases or in connection with any charged defendant, please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/ARPO

Additional documents related to this announcement are available here:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-april-17-2019-press-conference

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that two Charleston men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy in 2017.  Michael Ginther and Travis Thomas were sentenced to 72 and 87 months in prison, respectively. 

 “Yet another network of meth traffickers dismantled,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re taking down drug dealers and putting them behind bars for lengthy prison stays.  Excellent work by my team and our law enforcement partners.” 

The investigation involved numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from the defendants involved in the conspiracy between June 2017 and September 2017.  Three other members of the conspiracy were sentenced to prison last week.  Melody Legg was sentenced to 120 months, Timothy Boggs to 24 months, and William Naylor to 36 months. 

This investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department STOP Team.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecutions.  United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A mother and her daughter pled guilty to federal drug charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Sherry Gray, 62, pled guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County in August and September 2018.  Gray’s daughter, Miranda Brandon, 38, pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine on August 1, 2018, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on September 28, 2018.

“It’s all in the family. This Project Charleston takedown dismantled a multi-state, poly-drug organization responsible for trafficking a significant amount of illegal drugs on Charleston’s West Side,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Although removing drug dealers from our community is gratifying, it’s tragic to see mother and daughter working side-by-side in the drug trade.”

On August 1, 2018, Brandon and Gray each participated in delivering methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  The deal took place inside of a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood on Charleston’s’ West Side.  A week later, Gray later delivered additional methamphetamine to the same confidential informant at the same location.

Brandon and Gray each face a prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on August 13, 2019.  Additionally, Brandon will be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis is handling the prosecution.  The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Multiple felons charged with federal gun crimes appeared in court this week, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. 

• Christopher Saunders, 26, of Parkersburg was sentenced to 63 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.    Saunders pled guilty to a single-count indictment in January 2019, admitting he sold a sawed-off shotgun to a confidential informant on March 17, 2018.  Saunders is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to 2012 conviction for malicious wounding in Wood County Circuit Court.    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. 

• Chris Pauley, 42, of Logan, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Pauley pled guilty in December 2018, admitting he carried a sawed-off .22 caliber rifle with him while taking a walk in Blair, Logan County.  Saunders is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to 2008 conviction for grand larceny in Boone County Circuit Court.    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. 

• Antonio Parnell, 42, from Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 84 months in prison by Judge Copenhaver.  Parnell previously pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On April 14, 2018, Parnell got into a violent altercation with two victims and with officers from the Charleston Police Department. Parnell had a firearm in his possession that he threw when the officers approached him.  He was arrested and has been in custody since that day.  Parnell has three felony convictions under three different names.  The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew handled the prosecution. 

• Antoine Maurice Brown, 36, entered a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Brown admitted that on December 16, 2018, he was driving a vehicle and was pulled over because an officer smelled burnt marijuana emanating from Brown’s vehicle at the intersection of US 119 and Oakwood Road in Charleston.  Brown moved a 9mm Taurus pistol from the center console of the vehicle and put it under a child’s car seat located in the back seat of the car.  Officers searched the vehicle and located the subject firearm.  Brown is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has two prior felony convictions.  Brown faces up to ten years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 9, 2019.  The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives  (ATF).  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.

“No one is a stronger supporter of the Second Amendment than this United States Attorney,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “This is not an issue about the Second Amendment but, rather, one of enforcing federal law to keep firearms out of the hands of violent felons and prohibited persons to ensure the safety of law enforcement and the public.” 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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. – A Charleston man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Steven Craig Coleman, 31, pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber to possessing heroin with intent to distribute.  Coleman has a 2016 conviction for involuntary manslaughter for distributing heroin to a woman causing a fatal overdose.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Charleston Police Department, South Charleston Police Department, and Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).

“Enough is enough.  Coleman has a prior conviction in state court in connection with the distribution of heroin causing a fatal overdose,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The very next year, he was back to peddling deadly poisons in Charleston.  Coleman has been detained since his arrest on federal charges.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, in July 2017, police investigators learned from a confidential source that Coleman was selling several ounces of heroin from his house on 7th Avenue in Charleston.  On July 20, 2017, Coleman sold a confidential informant a substance containing fentanyl.  A week later, investigators executed a search warrant at Coleman’s house, where they found Coleman carrying several thousand dollars in drug proceeds and around 50 grams of methamphetamine outside of an open window near Coleman.

On August 8, 2018, police again met Coleman at his house and he gave them permission to search his room.  Coleman directed an investigator to where he was hiding his drugs.  Police ultimately found close to 10 grams of drug mixtures containing heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, a deadly fentanyl analogue. 

Coleman is facing up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 13, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Beckley man pled guilty today for his role in a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Billy Joe Lesher, 40, of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.  The investigation was conducted by the Beckley Police Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). 

“Good work by Beckley area law enforcement agencies,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Another meth dealer is off the streets.”

Lesher admitted that on October 24, 2018, members of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the ATF executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley, West Virginia.  During the search, officers found approximately seven ounces methamphetamine that defendant admitted he possessed with the intent to distribute.  Lesher also admitted that he possessed methamphetamine on March 10, 2018.  On this date, Lesher admitted that he was the subject of a traffic stop in Beckley.  After he was stopped, officers found approximately 58 grams of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, two firearms, and almost $12,000 in cash in his car.  After the traffic stop, officers also searched defendant’s residence and found approximately 33 ounces, or about two pounds, of methamphetamine.  Lesher admitted that he intended to distribute this methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia.  Further, as part of his plea, Lesher admitted to distributing quantities of heroin on two different dates.    

Lesher faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison and a $5,000,000.00 fine when he is sentenced on July 24, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.

 

 

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. –The last of four defendants from a Southern West Virginia family involved in an arson and insurance fraud scheme was sentenced in United States District Court announced United States Attorney Michael Stuart.  James “Punkin” Lester, 47, was sentenced to 17 years in prison following his August 2018 conviction on 23 separate felonies related to the scheme.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $505, 618.57 and ordered to forfeit an additional $120,000.

“17 years. Arson and insurance fraud are serious crimes for which every citizen pays the price,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Arson is not only a property crime but it risks lives as well.  It is gratifying when defendants like Lester are held accountable, not only by a sentence of incarceration, but by an order of restitution as well.” 

Between April of 2012 and January of 2016,  Lester, along with his father, Windel Lester, his brother, Greg Lester, his former step-mother, Georgetta Kenney,  and others, participated in various ways in three separate but interrelated schemes involving arson, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering. Their overall purpose was to enrich themselves by fraudulently obtaining insurance proceeds on houses they intentionally burned. The houses were insured for amounts greatly exceeding their value and the value of any contents. The houses were located at Matoaka in Mercer County, Huntington in Cabell County, and Ikes Fork in Wyoming County.

Windel Lester was convicted of 17 separate felonies.  His sentencing hearing was originally set along with James Lester’s.  However, Windel Lester died prior to his sentencing hearing.  Others involved included Dudley Bledsoe, Ricky Gleason, and James Browning, all of whom pled guilty and are serving prison sentences.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the trial and the sentencing hearing.  Agents with the West Virginia Insurance Commission, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.   Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright and R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution.  

 

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United States Attorney Mike Stuart Hosts 19th Annual Operation Reach Out Ceremony

CHARLESTON – In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13, 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia hosted the 19th Annual Operation Reach Out Opening Ceremony today at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia.  Operation Reach Out, a collaborative of local advocacy programs, raises awareness of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and educates the community on the various organizations that provide services to crime victims.

Guest speakers included Debbie Casto, a survivor of domestic violence, and her brother, Sergeant Anthony Craigo with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.  Additionally, advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors across the district received recognition for their coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes.

“Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured."

Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.

“We are so proud to take part in National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor the victims of crime and recognize those who provide services to victims,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The focus of this year’s ceremony is violence against women, including domestic violence, an insidious crime at every level.  We strive every day with a sense of urgency to fight for the victims of crime and against the perpetrators of crime.  We should never become so calloused from the pursuit of our daily obligations that we forget the purpose of our work – fighting for and being the voice of the victims of crime.”

“In conjunction with the ceremony, I rolled out Project HOPE (Healing, Officers, Prosecutors, Empowerment), a joint federal and local effort to combat violence against women. Project HOPE crystallizes my absolute commitment to rooting out violence against women in every form.”

The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2019, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, SDWV, Victim Witness Program at (304) 345-2200.

 

 

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who conspired with others to sell heroin in 2017 and 2018 was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Bryan Michael Adams, 28, previously pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.

“Heroin dealer after heroin dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “We’re locking them up.  We’re united in in fighting the drug epidemic in Huntington through enforcement, prevention and treatment and we’re making tremendous progress.”

On April 4, 2018, a confidential informant contacted Adams to arrange a purchase of heroin.  During the telephone call, Adams agreed to sell heroin to the informant and directed the informant to come to the residence he shared with another person located at 4260 U.S. Route 60, Apartment 7 in Huntington.  Shortly after, Adams and the other individual met with the informant inside the residence and the other individual distributed heroin to the informant.

As part of his plea agreement, Adams admitted that, from at least November 2017 to April 2018, he conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Huntington area.  Adams also admitted to assisting another heroin deal on April 11, 2018, in Huntington and that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin during his participation in the conspiracy. 

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

This case was 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Michael Pittman, 38, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

“Meth and heroin,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “What else needs said?”

On October 9, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of 18th Street West and Jefferson Avenue for a report of a man down.  When they arrived on scene, they found Pittman laying in the middle of the road with no shirt or shoes on.  Pittman told officers he had just injected heroin.  Officers found approximately 53 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 9 grams of heroin in Pittman’s truck.  Pittman admitted he intended to sell the methamphetamine and heroin.    

Pittman faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 29, 2019.

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.   The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Benjamin John Mooney, 42, pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to distributing methamphetamine.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Rural areas like Boone County have paid too high a price and been hit hard by meth and other drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Getting dealers like Mooney off the streets will help stem the tide.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, Mooney sold highly pure methamphetamine to an undercover police informant on four separate occasions between July 2017 and February 2018.  Mooney told police investigators that he had been selling over 10 grams of methamphetamine weekly for at least a year.

Mooney is facing up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 27, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  Two Huntington men were sentenced to prison today in federal court in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  The sentences were imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. 

“Add two more to our list of prosecutions for heroin or fentanyl related offenses,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’ve made great progress, but there is still much work to do.”

Dahran Montgomery, also known as “Daedog”, 42, was sentenced to 52 months in prison.  Montgomery previously pled guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin and one count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  He admitted that on February 16, 2017 and May 1, 2017, Quandale Turk directed him to distribute heroin to a confidential informant in Huntington.  Montgomery also admitted that on May 3, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence at 920 Eutaw Place in Huntington.  Officers seized approximately 80 grams of suspected heroin in the kitchen. 

David Paul, 38, was sentenced to 46 months in prison.  Paul previously pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute heroin that contained fentanyl.  Paul admitted that on January 10, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence at 528 8th Avenue in Huntington.  Officers found approximately 96 grams of heroin and approximately 63 grams of heroin that contained fentanyl in a safe.    This case was 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. 

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigations.   Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecutions.

 

 

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Mexican national men were sentenced for the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, 26, and Huber Rodriguez-Diaz, 24, both received a sentence of “time served.”  They had both been in custody since December of 2018, nearly four months of federal incarceration.  The Court ordered both men remanded to ICE custody to begin administrative deportation proceedings.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“These two brothers, both in their twenties, had four prior removals between them,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “If they want to live and work in our country, they need to enter our country legally and follow our immigration laws.”

On December 19, 2018, both men were found in Hurricane, Putnam County, West Virginia.  Federal agents with ICE had received a tip that a person was working illegally at a Hurricane restaurant.  ICE agents investigated and located the Rodriguez-Diaz brothers walking to the restaurant.  Believing one of the men to be the target of the investigation, ICE agents requested identification.  Both men immediately admitted that they were not in the United States legally and had no identification documents.  ICE agents took Carlos and Huber Rodriguez-Diaz into federal custody.

Fingerprinting matched Carlos to three prior removals from the United States in 2014, 2015, and 2018.  Huber has one prior removal from the United States in 2014 that his fingerprints matched.   In all cases, the Rodriguez-Diaz brothers were found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and they were deported to Mexico.  Neither man had obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Both Carlos and Huber Rodriguez-Diaz further admitted to ICE agents that they were Mexican citizens.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for both of the prosecutions.  United States District Judge Robert C Chambers imposed the sentences. 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13, 2019, United States Attorney Mike Stuart will be hosting the 19th Annual Operation Reach Out Opening Ceremony.  Stuart will present Excellence in Victim Advocacy and Justice Awards to  federal, state and local partners engaged in fighting violence against women. 

                       

What:               Operation Reach Out Ceremony & Reception

 

Where:             Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse  

                         300 Virginia Street East, 5th Floor

                         Charleston, WV

 

When:             Tuesday, April 9 @ 11:00am

 

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that Daniel Roy Mace, of Parkersburg, was convicted by a federal jury on 15 felony charges:  12 counts of receipt of child pornography on dates between June 24 and August 3, 2016; one count of distribution of child pornography; one count possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors; and one count of witness tampering.  When he is sentenced on July 8, 2019, he will face up to 20 years on each count, along with at least five years for each of the 12 receipt counts and the distribution count. He will also be placed on supervised release for a term of at least five years and up to life following his release from prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

“Guilty on all 15 counts,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “These are emotional and difficult cases, especially considering the graphic nature of the evidence and that the conduct involves children.  These cases are critically important – for the victims, for the community and our society.  The timing of this case couldn’t be more apt.  April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and just yesterday, we rolled out the remarkable results over the last six months of multiple investigations regarding child exploitation.  I applaud the efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Jenny Herrald and Alex Hamner, and the entire team that worked on this case.  We are in the business of protecting children.”

On August 1, 2016, law enforcement with the WVSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began a proactive investigation into local distributors of child pornography. After identifying a potential target in the Parkersburg area, a detective downloaded eight videos of child pornography from a user located in Parkersburg over a peer-to-peer file sharing network. On August 4, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the residence from which the child pornography was being shared. Law enforcement discovered Mace’s laptop in his bedroom, actively downloading child pornography from the same file-sharing services where law enforcement had downloaded the eight videos of child pornography. Upon examining Mace’s computer, law enforcement discovered 80 videos of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Among the 80 videos were all eight  videos of child pornography that law enforcement had downloaded.

After Mace was arrested on a federal indictment charging him with numerous child pornography offenses, Mace began attempting to persuade a witness to provide a false alibi for him during testimony before a federal grand jury in January 2019.  The jail calls between Mace and the witness were recorded.

The West Virginia State Police, the Parkersburg Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crime Against Children (VCAC) Task Force conducted the investigation.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the trial.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Alex Hamner handled the prosecution.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Boone County man pled guilty today to drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Bruce Lee Boardman pled guilty to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Nitro Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the West Virginia State Police.

“Another gun toting meth dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And another federal conviction.  We are working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to remove violent drug dealers like Boardman from our communities.”

As established by public court filings and hearings, on June 30, 2017, Nitro police stopped Boardman for driving his truck erratically.  Boardman appeared extremely nervous and admitted to driving with a revoked license due to a prior DUI.  Officers smelled marijuana coming from the truck, so they searched it and found three bags of methamphetamine weighing approximately 50 grams, a small amount of marijuana, 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 methamphetamine.  During the drug transaction, Boardman was holding a pistol in his hand.

Boardman is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced on June 26, 2019.  Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart 
 

 
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart, joined by FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nick Boshears, Pittsburgh Field Office, FBI Assistant Section Chief Brian Herrick, Violent Crimes Against Children, and West Virginia State Police Sergeant James Kozik, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, announced the results of multiple investigations regarding child exploitation in the Southern District of West Virginia (SDWV) through the West Virginia Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.   The task force provides resources to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit our children for sex, child pornography and human trafficking.  The task force partners in the Southern District of West Virginia are: West Virginia State Police, Parkersburg Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office and Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. 

“Protecting our children from exploitation and violence is a priority for me and my office,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Although due to the nature of these cases, we don’t often ‘advertise’ our work, you can rest assured we have been aggressively engaged  24 hours a day, 7 days a week to do all we can to protect our children from predators and monsters that prey on our children’s innocence, vulnerabilities and trust. Child exploitation is an epidemic in America today and West Virginia is not immune from the predators that prey on our children.”

"It’s not enough to just identify the crimes against children anymore, we have to work to prevent exploitation," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "Having a dedicated task force with our law enforcement partners to address these issues in West Virginia gives us more resources to identify, investigate and arrest online predators. The FBI will continue to pursue these vicious criminals to protect our children." 

Over the past 6 months, the task force has made 19 arrests, executed 27 search warrants, had 10 indictments including three pending and 9 convictions in specific proactive efforts in the Southern District of West Virginia.  

In addition to the multiple investigations involving the task force, the United States Attorney’s Office, SDWV, has prosecuted nearly a dozen additional cases related to child exploitation and internet pornography.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart 
 

 
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Parkersburg residents arrested as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin – appeared in federal court today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jeffrey Hoyler, 56, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, while Nicholas Ryan Easton, 29, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Ohio Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.  The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 150 pounds of  methamphetamine and, what was originally believed to be 4 pounds of heroin, have been determined to be comprised of nearly 291 grams of fentanyl.  If the fentanyl in this case had made it to the streets of the Parkersburg region, nearly 150,000 West Virginians could have died.

“Enough fentanyl to kill nearly 150,000 people,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “While we originally believed that we seized four pounds of heroin as part of this operation, testing has recently shown that a significant portion of the seizure was comprised of nearly 291 grams of fentanyl.  This is both scary and satisfying.  Scary because so many West Virginians could have lost their lives and satisfying because law enforcement was able to stop this fentanyl and shut down a major drug organization.”

Stuart continued, “This is the largest meth bust in West Virginia history – and Ohio history for that matter where the meth was physically seized. Thanks to the tremendous work of federal, state and local law enforcement in Project Parkersburg, hundreds of pounds of meth, heroin and enough fentanyl to kill more than the combined populations of Parkersburg, Huntington and Charleston were seized before hitting the streets and a large, multi-state drug organization was shut down.”

Hoyler admitted to transporting cash to Phoenix, Arizona at the direction of co-defendant Terrence McGuirk and pooling the money with co-defendants Aurelius Edmonds and Antoine Terry in order to purchase approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine which was intercepted by the FBI in Dayton, Ohio on September 19, 2018.  Hoyler faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 17, 2019. 

Easton previously pled guilty in December 2018 where he admitted selling between 50 and 200 grams of methamphetamine.

Hoyler, and Easton were charged with 15 other defendants in a two-count federal indictment in October 2018.  Theodore “T.J.” Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Troy Pastorino, and Colleen Moyle have pled guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Mingo County man pled guilty to a federal firearms charge, said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jay James Fields, 36, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service. 

On November 3, 2017, Logan County 911 Dispatch received a call regarding two suspicious individuals who left a known drug house.  A Logan County Sheriff’s Deputy proceeded to the area, and identified the two individuals described by 911.  The Deputy tried to speak to Fields who fled on foot with a gun in his hand.  The Deputy retrieved the gun after Fields discarded it during the chase.    A Deputy United States Marshal was able to apprehend Fields. 

Fields faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Senior United States Senior District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Chris Arthur is handling the prosecution.  

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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. – A Mexican national man pled guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Manuel Ortiz-Sanchez, 44, will be sentenced on August 13, 2019.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the West Virginia State Police.

“Ortiz-Sanchez had two prior removals,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We have a crisis at our border and our communities and the brave men and women in law enforcement are shouldering the burden.  We must stop the revolving door.”

On January 16, 2019, Ortiz-Sanchez  was found in Chelyan, Kanawha County, West Virginia.  West Virginia troopers had stopped a car for failure to maintain control on the West Virginia Turnpike.  The driver offered a Mexican Consular notification document and the passengers, including Ortiz-Sanchez, did not have drivers licenses or other identification.  The State Police contacted ICE, who spoke to the individuals telephonically in Spanish.  Ortiz-Sanchez admitted being in the United States illegally.  Federal agents with ICE responded to the scene and took Ortiz-Sanchez into custody.  Ortiz-Sanchez immediately admitted that he was not in the United States legally and had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.

Fingerprinting matched Ortiz-Sanchez  to two prior removals from the United States in 2015.  In both cases, Ortiz-Sanchez 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. Ortiz-Sanchez further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution.  Senior United States District Judge David Faber presided over the hearing.

 

Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart 

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Tajae Dasjuan Mosley, 27, of Dunbar was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and being an unlawful drug user in possession of firearms.  Stuart commended the efforts of the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

“Selling meth at an apartment complex in Dunbar,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Mosley’s conviction is good for Dunbar and the Kanawha Valley.  We want the Mosleys’ of the world away from our families and our children. Any time we can take a meth dealer off the streets, it’s a win for our communities and for law enforcement.”

Mosley pled guilty in November 2018, admitting that from at least November 2017 until his arrest on July 10, 2018 he had been distributing methamphetamine in and around apartment complexes on Smoot Avenue and Howard Avenue in Dunbar.  On July 10, 2018, police executed federal arrest warrants in several locations in Dunbar including Mosley’s residence where they seized three firearms.  Mosley admitted that he was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to be a habitual drug user. 

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Christopher Tyler, 27, of Charleston, West Virginia entered a guilty plea today to a single count information charging him with distributing a mixture containing fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl announced United States Attorney Michael B. Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).

“Tragic.  Fentanyl is so deadly.  Last year, my office seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly the entire population of West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are working tirelessly to prosecute every fentanyl dealer we can find.  We’ve lost to many of our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers to this poison.”

Tyler admitted that on August 29, 2018, he exchanged text messages with a female in Charleston and agreed to sell her a substance they both believed to be heroin. The female came to Tyler’s house on Glover Street in Charleston to pick up the substance and gave Tyler money. Tyler and the female continued to text that evening into the earlier morning hours. The next morning when Tyler called the female’s phone, he was informed she had died. Toxicology testing done by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that the substance Tyler sold to the female was a mixture of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and acetyl fentanyl, a schedule I controlled substance.

Tyler faces up to 20 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 6, 2019 before Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the investigation.

 

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A South Charleston man who sold pure methamphetamine was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Nitro Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.

“Haddox is a career offender – 18 felony convictions,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “He distributed a large quantity of 100% pure meth - pure and powerful.  His significant sentence is well-deserved.”

Jason Haddox, 35, previously pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  On April 4, 2017, police investigators used a confidential informant to purchase a quarter ounce of methamphetamine from Haynes in South Charleston.  Haddox supplied Haynes with the methamphetamine.  Investigators then executed a search warrant on Haddox’s South Charleston residence on April 7, 2017, where they recovered over two ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and thousands of dollars of drug trafficking proceeds.  Haynes is currently awaiting trial.

At the sentencing hearing, the United States argued that Haddox was a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker, who had been distributing up to 20 ounces of methamphetamine a month with his co-defendant Mary Haynes.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger noted that Haddox had been convicted of 18 felonies and was a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.  The Court found Haddox accountable for over 260 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine.

Haddox will remain in custody until he reports to a federal prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman handled the prosecution.

 

 

 

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va.—United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two men were sentenced on drug charges in federal court in Bluefield.

“A drug dealer is a drug dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Regardless of whether they are selling opioids or cocaine, we’ll do everything we can to protect West Virginia families and put drug dealers behind bars.”

Benjamin Allen III, 31, of Princeton, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for distributing hydromorphone.  Allen pled guilty in December, admitting that on January 10, 2017, he distributed a quantity of hydromorphone to an informant in Princeton.  He also admitted that he distributed hydromorphone on two other occasions in Princeton in January of 2017 and once in Bluefield in March of 2017, and that on March 28, 2017, he possessed hydrocodone and hydromorphone pills in Princeton with the intent to distribute them.  The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Bluefield Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

James Kelsor, 46, of Northfork, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for distributing cocaine.  Kelsor also pled guilty in December, when he admitted that on September 30, 2016, he distributed a quantity of cocaine to an informant in Bluefield.  He also admitted that he distributed cocaine to an informant in Bluefield on October 3 and October 5, 2016.  The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution of the cases.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.

 

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Princeton husband and wife were sentenced to federal prison for federal robbery and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Sarah K. Bailey, 39, and Michael Justin Bailey, 38, were each sentenced to federal prison for 16 years, and 20 years and 6 months, respectively.  Both defendants previously entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, with the assistance and co-operation of law enforcement personnel in the states of Virginia and North Carolina.

“A modern day Bonnie and Clyde – the Baileys committed heinous crimes,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The exemplary work of law enforcement brought their string of violence to an end.  The Baileys will now be spending many years behind bars.”  

“These violent criminals threatened the safety of our communities,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Stuart Lowrey of the Louisville Field Division. “ATF, strives to be ‘no better partner’ to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we will continue to aggressively investigate, arrest and pursue prosecution of these offenders. Our shared commitment to reducing violent crime continues to make West Virginia safer for everyone.”

The Baileys previously admitted to robbing two separate video poker parlors in the Southern District of West Virginia.  The Baileys admitted that on October 26, 2017, they robbed a video poker parlor near Peterstown, West Virginia.  The Baileys further admitted that during the robbery, a 76 year old employee was struck several times in the head with a club, causing injury to the employee.  They admitted to then binding the employee with duct tape, and stealing money and personal items from this employee. 

The Baileys also previously admitted to committing another robbery as part of the conspiracy.  This robbery occurred near Bluefield, West Virginia on November 5, 2017.  On November 5, the Baileys went to a video poker parlor where Sarah Bailey had previously worked near Bluefield.  On this date, they used firearms that had previously been stolen to rob the video poker parlor.  During the robbery, the Baileys admitted to threatening an employee and customers with the firearms and again binding an employee with duct tape.  They further admitted to stealing nearly $5,000 and personal items and effects from the employee and customers.  The Baileys then fled to North Carolina where they were arrested after being found in possession of the money and other stolen items from both of the robbery locations.

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

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who was caught with methamphetamine at his residence last summer pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Davon Travis-Jones Keith, 26, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Police Department and Parole Services with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

“Great work by the Huntington Police Department and Parole Services,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Partnerships between law enforcement and corrections enhance public safety.”

On July 11, 2018, Keith’s parole officer conducted a home inspection at Keith’s residence located at 1342 Van Buren Avenue in Huntington.  Keith was located in the residence and the officer conducted a search.  The officer subsequently observed and seized almost 60 grams of crystal methamphetamine which was located on the top of a dresser in Keith’s bedroom.  Keith admitted at the hearing that he possessed the methamphetamine and intended to distribute it. 

Keith faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on July 15, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.

 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marcus Smith, 46, from Charleston, West Virginia, pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The case was investigated by the Hurricane Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On August 29, 2017, a Hurricane Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in Hurricane.  Smith was a passenger in the vehicle.  Officers located a loaded firearm under his seat.  Smith was prohibited from possessing the firearm under federal law because of a multiple prior felony convictions.

Smith faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 15, 2019.

The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution of the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A California man pled guilty today to a federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tiero D. Wash, 23, entered his guilty pleas to being a felon in possession of firearms on two separate dates.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Mercer County Home Confinement Office, and the Bluefield City Police Department.

It was established at the plea hearing that Wash illegally possessed firearms on two separate dates while on home confinement in Mercer County on unrelated state charges.   On December 5, 2017, Mercer County Home Confinement Officers and Bluefield City Police Officers searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement.  During the search, officers located three different firearms.  On January 1, 2018, officers again searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement.  During the second search, officers located another firearm.  Wash was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted of the felony offense of Transporting Marijuana in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento in 2017.

Wash faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 7, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Steven Ferguson, 40, pled guilty today to being a prohibited person while possessing ammunition, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Police Department.

On February 2, 2018, a Huntington Police Officer on patrol observed a black Dodge truck stuck in the mud in Rotary Park in Huntington.  The officer observed two occupants in the vehicle.  After observing and securing a large machete and a hunting knife, Ferguson told the officer he had a bag that contained ammunition.  Ferguson was prohibited from possessing the ammunition under federal law because of a 2012 misdemeanor domestic battery 2nd offense conviction in Cabell County Magistrate Court.

Ferguson faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 15, 2019.

The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution of the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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 that his Office recently facilitated the return of $50,000 to an elderly scam victim in Florida.  The scam was identified in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office Elder Justice Initiative.  The victim had wired $50,000 to a bank account in the Southern District of West Virginia.  Investigators with Stuart’s office reached out to the West Virginia citizen whose name was on the account and who was suspected of receiving fraudulent funds.  The West Virginia citizen, also a victim of other online scams, was being used by scammers as a middle person and received the $50,000, which was to be forwarded to the scammers.  The West Virginia individual agreed to allow the bank to return the funds to the Florida victim. 

“Those who scam, steal and defraud our seniors are the lowest form of humanity,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Preying on the vulnerable and the trusting is detestable, despicable and diabolical.  If you suspect you are the target of a scammer or fraudster, it is important you report the activity.  We will do all we can to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”

Every day, elderly individuals become victims of scams online, through the mail, and through cell phone calls and texts.  If you’re the victim of a scam, or suspect that a friend or relative has become the victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed.  You are not alone.  Speak out and tell someone.  Notify area law enforcement.  Here are some tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from financial scams:

• Know that wiring money is like sending cash
• Don’t send money to someone you don’t know
• Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information
• Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back for anyone
• Know that fraudsters will pose on the internet as interested romantic partners
• Know the federal government will never call you on the phone and ask for personal information
• After a disaster, give only to established charities
• Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments
• Have a plan in place in case a medical emergency arises
• Order a credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies, and freeze your credit so no additional lines of credit can be opened in your name
• Discuss the situation with your adult children.
• Do not send any money to the scammers, or agree to be a middle person receiving and forwarding on money to the scammers, even if they sound convincing.

 

Visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice for more information.

 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three individuals from Charleston received prison sentences for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  The investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department STOP Team.

“Another meth conspiracy  -- BUSTED,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We’re putting a record number of meth traffickers behind bars.”

Melody Legg, 44, was sentenced to 120 months in prison.  She previously pled guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine.  Legg admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, she distributed methamphetamine for Travis Thomas and others in Kanawha County.  She conspired with Travis Thomas, William Naylor, Timothy Boggs, and Michael Ginther to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for money.   

William Naylor, 30, was sentenced to 36 months in prison.  He previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Naylor admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, he worked with Melody Legg to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County.  As part of the plea agreement, Naylor admitted to distributing methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2017.   

Timothy Boggs, 21, was sentenced to 24 months in prison.  He previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.  Boggs admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, he distributed methamphetamine for Melody Legg in Kanawha County.  As part of the plea agreement, Boggs admitted to distributing approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in July 2017.   

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

 

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