Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In three separate cases, two Mexican Nationals and a Guatamalan National entered guilty pleas to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Multiple defendants.  Multiple prior deportations.  Repeat offenders.  These are three of many, many similar cases that this district has prosecuted in the past few months,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We seek to prosecute every reentry case involving someone who is here illegally, repeatedly, against the laws of the United States.  The number of these cases is growing in this district.  This is an area of real concern to ensure the safety of the citizens.”

Mexican National Sebastian Gonzalez-Cid, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2019, and is also subject to deportation proceedings.   On December 6, 2018, Gonzalez-Cid was found in a Huntington, West Virginia apartment complex by members of ICE after receiving a tip that a person was in the country illegally and living in Huntington.  Agents approached Gonzalez-Cid, who confirmed his name, offered a Mexican identification, and admitted he was not in the United States legally.  Agents immediately confirmed that Gonzalez-Cid was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Gonzalez-Cid’s fingerprints matched him to a 2017 prior encounter in South Charleston, West Virginia where he was found in West Virginia and deported from the United States. Gonzalez-Cid reentered the United States without obtaining legal permission to do so.

Guatamalan National Marcus Tojin Tiu, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2019.  Tojin Tiu is also subject to deportation proceedings.  On October 30, 2019, Tojin Tiu was found in Barboursville, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that a person was in the country illegally and working at a restaurant in Barboursville, West Virginia.  Agents approached Tojin Tiu, who immediately admitted he was not in the United States legally and offered them a Guatemalan identification. Agents promptly confirmed that Tojin Tiu was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Tojin Tiu’s  fingerprints matched him to a 2012 prior encounter in Harlingen, Texas where he was found in Texas and deported from the United States. Tojin Tiu reentered the United States without obtaining legal permission to do so.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecutions. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearings.

Gilberto Espino-Velasquez, 41,  faces up to two years of in prison when he is sentenced on March 7, 2019.  Espino-Velasquez is also subject to deportation proceedings at the conclusion of any sentence.   On November 8, 2018, Espino-Velasquez was found in Nitro, Kanawha County, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that individuals were in the country illegally and working on a construction crew in the area.  Pursuant to this investigation,  ICE agents approached Espino-Velasquez and he surrendered to them. Agents immediately confirmed that Espino-Velasquez was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Espino-Velasquez’s  fingerprints matched him to three prior encounters in 2003 where he was found in the United States illegally and deported from the United States to Mexico.  He was also previously convicted of illegally entering the United States in September 8, 2003 in the Western District of Texas.   Espino-Velasquez again illegally reentered the United States prior to his capture in 2018.  Espino-Velasquez had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship.  Espino-Velasquez also admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing.

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Defendant received 15 months of incarceration for dumping truckloads of sewage into Little Huff Creek in Wyoming County

 BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Mike Blankenship, 54, of Hanover, West Virginia, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for Clean Water Act violations, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  A federal jury convicted Blankenship of two felony Clean Water Act violations in April  2018.  United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of  the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), who were also assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the West Virginia State Police. 

“No one wants crap in their creek but that’s exactly what they got in this case,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Clean water and public sewage - especially in West Virginia- is still much too hard to come by in some of our more rural communities. Blankenship operated his business with total disregard of environmental laws putting raw sewage in the very water sources our good people depend on.”

On September 29, 2015,  a sewage truck owned by Blankenship was seen dumping untreated sewage into Little Huff Creek, a tributary of the Guyandotte River in Southwestern West Virginia.  Inspectors with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) responded to the truck’s location in Hanover, West Virginia.  They saw the sewage truck with a hose placed in the creek, observed sewage in the water and on the ground, and quickly requested the assistance of the West Virginia State Police. Returning to the truck, WVDEP agents were able to take samples from the truck and pad.  Lab tests confirmed the presence of fecal coliform, an indicator of raw or untreated sewage.  Later, agents with the FBI, EPA, and WVDEP spoke to Mike Blankenship.  Blankenship owns a porta-john and sewage business under the name Hanover Contracting Company.  Blankenship admitted that it was his sewage truck dumping sewage into the water on the day the WVDEP inspectors observed it.   Blankenship also admitted to dumping sewage into Little Huff Creek on other occasions.  Neighbors provided photographic evidence that they testified showed Blankenship’s trucks dumping sewage and porta-john waste into the creek on various dates in 2015 and 2016.   The April 2018 federal jury also heard testimony from the law enforcement agents and experts in water quality assessment.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Perry McDaniel represented the United States at sentencing and during the jury trial.   United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Jarrod Grimes, 40, of Inverness, Florida, a former Federal Bureau of Prisons official, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for unlawfully engaging in sexual activity with female inmates at the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson.  Grimes will also be required to register as a sex offender.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The Bureau of Prisons is staffed with correctional officers that perform their duties with honor and integrity every day.  However, Grimes, who abused his position and power, was not one of them,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “Grimes was in a position of trust and near absolute authority over inmates who had absolutely no ability to flee or escape. Any and all instances of gross and egregious corruption like this will be prosecuted by my office and we will seek the maximum penalties permitted by law.”

Grimes pled guilty in June to four counts of sexual abuse of a ward and two counts of abusive sexual contact involving a ward.  He admitted to having sexual intercourse with four inmates and other sexual activity with two other inmates between about November 2016 and December 2017.  Grimes was a captain when the crimes occurred, and was in charge of the correctional and security functions at the prison.  Under federal law, the inmates were not legally capable of giving consent to engage in any sexual activity with Grimes.  Grimes resigned from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in December 2017. 

“This man used his position as a Captain with the Bureau of Prisons to take advantage of women,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones.  “Corrections officers have a duty to protect the inmates at the prisons where they work. This sentence reaffirms our commitment to hold anyone who abuses their power responsible and that corruption, no matter where it is, will not be tolerated.”

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence on January 9, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution. 

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BECKLEY, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a HOPE Clinic physician, Dr. John Pellegrini, D.O., 64, of Huntington, West Virginia, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment for conspiracy to launder money. Pellegrini was also ordered to forfeit $574,507 to the United States, as that amount represents the proceeds of his offense. Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the United States Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, the Kentucky State Police, the Virginia State Police, the Beckley Police Department, the Charleston Police Department, Appalachia HIDTA, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Although we have significantly curtailed our issuance of press releases and media information during the partial government shutdown, this is a significant result in a significant case that is significant to the people of West Virginia and public safety,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Let this be a lesson to medical professionals who place greed over patient care.  Pellegrini is the third defendant to be sentenced in conjunction with HOPE Clinic and we have much work left to do.   My office is committed to doing everything within our power to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic including prosecuting medical professionals who fail to heed their first and most important oath, ‘Do no harm.’”

John Pellegrini admitted that he worked as a physician at the HOPE Clinic in Beckley, West Virginia. As a physician, he was authorized to write prescriptions for controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes in the usual course of professional practice. Pellegrini was a contract physician employed by a third-party contracting agency and not by HOPE Clinic. Although HOPE Clinic held itself out as specializing in the treatment of chronic pain through opioids, both the owners of HOPE Clinic and its management company, PPPFD, knew that Pellegrini had no experience in the treatment of chronic pain patients. Pellegrini previously pled guilty and admitted that many of the prescriptions he wrote for HOPE Clinic customers were illegal, because they were written outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. In return for these illegal prescriptions, the HOPE Clinic and PPPFD received payments from the customers.  Even though Pellegrini was a contractor, he received bonuses for his work at the HOPE Clinic from the customer payments. Pellegrini’s bonuses, as determined by the HOPE Clinic and PPPFD owners, were based upon the number of customers visiting the clinic each month. Thus, Pellegrini admitted that the more customers that returned to the HOPE Clinic each month, the more money he made through his bonus regardless of whether he physically examined the customer, just met with the customer, or just wrote a prescription for the customer. Pellegrini admitted that the bonus he received encouraged and promoted him to write more illegal prescriptions for highly addictive controlled substances, without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, because the bonuses increased as the number of customers visiting the HOPE Clinic increased.  

United States District Court Judge Irene Berger imposed the sentence. In imposing the sentence, the Court noted that while working at HOPE Clinic, Pellegrini disregarded his oath as a physician, as well as the law, and prescribed highly addictive controlled substances to patients with little regard to the medical necessity. The Court further noted that Pellegrini wrote prescriptions to patients he did not even examine and that he abused his position as a physician.

Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Two men were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber for illegally possessing firearms, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

“We are prosecuting prohibited persons for illegally possessing firearms in every corner of the District,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And the number of firearms cases we have prosecuted this year is off the charts.”

Reed Ryan Quick, 47, of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia was sentenced to 46 months in prison.  The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Quick previously pled guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, admitting that on January 20, 2018, he possessed a Ruger 9mm pistol while attempting to purchase drugs in Charleston. Quick is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a 2015 Greenbrier County felony conviction for operating a clandestine methamphetamine lab.

In addition, a Wood County felon was sentenced to 48 months in prison for illegally possessing two firearms.  Scott Phillips, 33, of Parkersburg, previously pled guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The case was investigated by the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On February 3, 2017, officers with the Parkersburg Police Department stopped a vehicle Phillips was riding in.  Phillips fled the vehicle on foot and unsuccessfully attempted to hide two pistols as police pursued him.  Phillips is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a 2006 Wood County felony burglary conviction.

Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecutions.

The cases were prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.  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 South Charleston man pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of pure methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jason Haddox, 35, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger on December 19, 2018.  Police investigators believe that Haddox and his girlfriend, co-defendant Mary Haynes, 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.

“A tremendous amount of meth is being distributed throughout the Kanawha Valley,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Area law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to identify meth dealers and my team is committed to prosecuting the peddlers of this poison.”

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.

Haddox will be sentenced on April 3, 2019.  He faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and up to life imprisonment.  Assistant United States Attorney Drew Inman is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Nicholas Easton, 29, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force.

“This investigation dismantled a significant drug trafficking organization that was bringing meth into Parkersburg area,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are working with our counterparts in other states to shut these multi-state drug networks down.”

On September 20, 2018, Easton was arrested at his Pettyville Road residence following a long-term investigation of a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in and around Parkersburg, as well as Dayton, Ohio, Tampa, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona.  Easton admitted distributing between 50 and 200 grams of methamphetamine in Parkersburg between February and September 2018. 

Easton faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 3, 2019.   Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Georgetta Lester Kenny and Greg Lester, two members of a Southern West Virginia family, were sentenced to prison by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  After a five day trial earlier this year, a federal jury found them guilty of various charges related to an arson and insurance fraud scheme.  Georgetta Lester Kenney, formerly known as Georgetta Lester, age 42, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and was ordered to pay $578,147 in restitution and forfeit $184,623.  Greg Lester, age 41, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $578,147 and forfeit $11,965.   Agents with the West Virginia Insurance Commission, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  

“Arson and insurance fraud are serious crimes that impact all of us, particularly through increased insurance premiums,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The ordering of restitution and forfeiture in cases like this one is every bit as important as the prison sentences imposed.  Criminals should not be able to keep profits obtained through their fraudulent schemes.”

Between April of 2012 and January of 2016, the defendants, along with Windel Lester, James “Punkin” Lester, and others, participated in various ways in three separate but inter-related schemes involving arson, mail fraud, 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 found guilty of 17 felony charges and faces 340 years imprisonment.  James “Punkin” Lester was found guilty of 23 felony charges and faces 475 years imprisonment.   They are scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2019.

Others involved included Dudley Bledsoe, Ricky Gleason, and James Browning, all of whom pled guilty and have been sentenced.

Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright and R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston man was sentenced for a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Fabian Woodson, 36, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute heroin on January 4, 2016.

“Fentanyl laced heroin and an arsenal of firearms,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “With Woodson off the streets, the Kanawha Valley is a safer place.”

On September 2, 2015, members of the Metro Drug Unit initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Woodson was a passenger in South Charleston, West Virginia. When the vehicle stopped, Woodson exited the vehicle and attempted to flee from the officers on foot. The officers apprehended him and recovered approximately 20 grams of heroin from the vehicle that Woodson admitted he possessed while in the vehicle. Woodson also admitted that he sold a confidential informant working for the Metro Drug Unit .8 grams of heroin in exchange for $150 on both December 14 and December 17, 2015.

On January 4, 2016, detectives with the Metro Drug Unit executed a search warrant on a home in Elkview where Woodson was residing and found suspected heroin, that Woodson admitted he intended to sell, suspected crack, and marijuana. They also found a loaded Ruger .380 caliber handgun, a loaded Colt .25 caliber handgun, a loaded Glock .26 caliber handgun, a loaded .22 caliber Beretta, and $7,613 in United States Currency, which included $150 of buy money from a previous controlled drug buy conducted by members of the Metro Drug Unit. The drugs seized from Woodson on January 4, 2016, were submitted to the West Virginia State Police Lab for testing, and confirmed to be heroin containing fentanyl weighing 27.58 grams, 3.268 grams of cocaine base, and 398 grams of marijuana.

United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. imposed the sentence.

The Metro Drug Unit was in charge of the investigation. Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty to a federal firearms charge, said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Michael D. Williams, 49, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Williams was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to commit arson.  The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“Defendants like Williams increase the recidivism rate,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And these are the types of crimes, committed by violent, repeat offenders that are the focus of  our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.”

On October 13, 2018, Williams got in an altercation at the Transit Mall in downtown Charleston and pulled a firearm on an individual.  An officer from the Charleston Police Department witnessed the altercation and arrested Williams.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison on the felon in possession charge and an additional 24 months in prison for the supervised released violation when he is sentenced on March 14, 2019.

United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew 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 Roane County man was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Devin Wolfe, 26, of Spencer, previously entered his guilty plea in July 2018 to one count of receipt of child pornography.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police and the Parkersburg Police Department.

“Great work by all involved,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart, “in putting another child predator behind bars.  Project Safe Childhood is a top priority of mine that focuses on protecting our most vulnerable and holding those accountable that prey on our children.”

Wolfe admitted to possessing images and videos depicting child pornography on October 12, 2016.  He received these images and videos from the internet, including from the website “4chan.”  One of the images, which he downloaded on August 21, 2016 at his residence in Roane County, depicted an adult male engaged in sexual intercourse with a prepubescent female.  Wolfe further admitted to possessing at least 6 videos and 730 images.  Many of the minors depicted in the videos and images have been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Following his release from prison, defendant will spend 35 years on federal supervised release.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Emily Wasserman and First Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston handled the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. handed down today’s sentence.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Princeton couple who were arrested after an investigation of multiple robberies earlier this year pled guilty to multiple federal charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Sarah K. Bailey, 39, and Michael Justin Bailey, 38, entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, with the assistance and cooperation of law enforcement personnel in the states of Virginia and North Carolina.

“The couple that thieves together, stays together -- in a federal pen. But they won’t be staying together,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Good job by law enforcement in solving this string of violent robberies and apprehending the Baileys.”

During their plea hearings, each defendant 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 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. 

Both defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment for the conspiracy charge to be followed by a mandatory minimum consecutive term of not less than seven years and up to life in federal prison when they are sentenced on April 2, 2019. 

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is handling the prosecutions.  The plea hearings were 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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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two men pled guilty to drug charges in federal court in Bluefield.  James Kelsor, 46, of Northfork, pled guilty to distribution of cocaine, admitting that on September 30, 2016, he distributed one-half gram 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.  He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2019.  The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

Benjamin Allen III, 31, of Princeton, pled guilty to distributing hydromorphone.  Allen admitted that on January 10, 2017, he distributed a hydromorphone pill to an informant in Princeton.  He also admitted that he distributed hydromorphone pills on two other occasions in Princeton in January of 2017 and once in Bluefield in March of 2017, and that he possessed hydrocodone and hydromorphone pills with the intent to distribute them on March 28, 2017, at his residence in Princeton.  Allen faces up to 210 months in prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2019.  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.

“Substance use disorder plagues every county in our state,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “But in our southernmost counties that have been particularly ravaged by the drug epidemic, we are working with our law enforcement partners to prosecute peddlers of all poisons.”

Assistant United State Attorney John File is handling the prosecution of both cases.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearings. 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Kentucky man who robbed over $32,000 from a bank in Wayne County was sentenced to 63 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Steve Ray Meeks, 62, of Louisa, Kentucky, previously pled guilty to bank robbery. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Louisa, Kentucky, Police Department, the Kentucky State Police, and the West Virginia State Police.

“Meeks’ actions put so many lives in danger,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “My thanks to all of the law enforcement officers who worked together to apprehend Meeks without further incident.”

Meeks admitted that on January 12, 2018, he robbed the Community Trust Bank in Fort Gay. The day before, Meeks admitted that he had approached the bank with his hood over his head and a ski mask covering his face and tried to get in after the bank had closed. During the morning staff meeting at the bank prior to opening, the bank employees discussed the individual they saw who had tried to get in the day prior. After that meeting, the same individual with the exact same clothes on tried to get in the bank again before it opened. Meeks admitted that he left and returned to the bank after it opened, when he could get in the unlocked door. Meeks further admitted that upon entering the bank, he brandished a weapon that appeared to be a handgun, requested that the tellers put all the money in a bag he brought with him, and threatened to shoot or kill them all.

Following the robbery, Meeks admitted that he drove into Kentucky with a Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy pursuing him, who then shortly after entering Kentucky, turned over the pursuit to a Louisa Police Department officer. Meeks admitted that during the pursuit, he threw large sums of cash from the robbery out the window. Law enforcement deployed stop strips to flatten his tires and Meeks was apprehended. The weapon from the robbery was later found in Fort Gay along the path where Meeks initially fled on foot, and it was discovered to be a BB gun that resembled an actual handgun, without an orange cap on the barrel or any other safety markings to indicate otherwise.  Investigators and bank employees determined that the amount Meeks robbed was approximately $32,372.00.    

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

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two men were sentenced for weapon offenses committed while they were inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell.

“Two more inmates extend their prison stay,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “The staff of the Bureau of Prisons must stay vigilant at all times.”

Tyler Romine, 27, was sentenced to 24 months in prison.  He pled guilty in July, admitting that on April 18, 2018, he possessed a weapon consisting of two combination locks attached to a belt, and that he used the weapon to strike another inmate. 

Ricardo Delgado-Vazquez, 37, was sentenced to 15 months in prison.  He also pled guilty in July, and admitted that on April 20, 2018, he possessed a sharpened piece of metal, commonly called a “shank.”  Prison officials found the weapon in the sleeve of his jacket. 

The sentences will run consecutively to the sentences the inmates were serving.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated these cases.  Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecutions.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Oshae Hamilton, 25, entered a guilty plea to an information charging him with possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.  

“I commend the strategic efforts of the Huntington Police Department and West Virginia Parole Services,”  said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “There is no doubt the work of this partnership will stop a number of crimes before they happen.” 

Hamilton admitted that on June 27, 2018, West Virginia Parole Services and members of the Huntington Police Department located approximately 60 grams of heroin in his residence.  He admitted to officers that he intended to sell the heroin.   

Hamilton faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 25, 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 Hurricane man and former West Virginia Cabinet Secretary was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison for embezzling $178,790 from the Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Department, as well as a related tax crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Clifford Keith Gwinn, 64, formerly the Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance, previously pled guilty in June 2018 to theft from a program receiving federal funds and failure to report and pay over payroll taxes.  As part of Gwinn’s sentence, he was also ordered to pay restitution to the Fire Department, and it’s insurer, in the amount of  $178,790 and to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $68,281.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations.

“Unimaginable that anyone, much less a former leader in state government, would steal from a Fire Department that is dependent upon funding to provide vital public safety services,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We will aggressively prosecute and seek restitution for victim organizations in cases like this one.”

Gwinn admitted that as Vice President and fiscal officer of the Fire Department, he was in charge of the financial affairs of the Fire Department and exercised significant control over the Fire Department’s finances.  He admitted that his duties included reporting income and expenditures to the Fire Department, preparing and submitting taxes for the Fire Department, and assisting with applications and reimbursements for federal grants, among other duties.   He further admitted that he, without authorization from the Fire Department, opened a Fire Department bank account where only he had signature authority, transferred funds into that account without the knowledge or authorization from the Fire Department, ensured certain health care insurance company reimbursements were deposited into that account, and wrote himself checks and checks to cash out of that account, which he then typically cashed.  He admitted that he further instructed the Fire Department’s Treasurer to write him checks from other Fire Department bank accounts and further misrepresented the amount of bank account balances to the Fire Department officers and board members.  He also admitted that he structured withdrawals out of the Fire Department’s accounts in a series of transactions below $10,000, to prevent the banks from filing Currency Transaction Reports.  While he admitted that he systematically deposited cash into Fire Department bank accounts, his overall withdrawals and payments received significantly overwhelmed the amount of any deposits.   He also admitted that he had no authorization to write himself checks or receive and cash checks from the Fire Department, and was not entitled to any compensation. 

During the period from 2013 through 2016 that Gwinn embezzled $178,790 in Fire Department funds, the Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Department received grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. These grants allowed the Fire Department to pay firefighters and to purchase and maintain equipment.

Furthermore, Gwinn admitted that that while he was Vice President and fiscal officer for the Fire Department, the Fire Department withheld taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes, Medicare, and social security taxes, together known as payroll taxes.  He admitted that he knew that he had the corporate responsibility to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over the Fire Department’s payroll taxes.  Gwinn admitted that from October 31, 2015 through April 30, 2017, while Gwinn was a responsible person for payroll taxes, Fire Department failed to account for and pay over approximately $61,421.31 in payroll taxes. 

Gwinn further admitted that when he filed his personal income tax returns with the IRS, those returns were false because they failed to account for the funds he had embezzled from the Fire Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Dunbar, West Virginia man pled guilty to a federal firearms charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brian M. Oliver, 22, entered a guilty plea today to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Mr. Oliver faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 13, 2019.  Stuart praised the work of the Dunbar Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Enforcement (ATF).

“Persons with domestic violence convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Why?  Because they have proven to be violent.  We are laser focused on removing violent offenders from our communities, and prosecuting prohibited persons in possession of guns is a key part of our crime reduction strategy.”

On April 29, 2018, officers with the Dunbar Police Department stopped a truck for an infraction.  Oliver was a passenger in the truck.  During the course of the traffic stop, Oliver admitted that he had a firearm on his person.  Dunbar officers subsequently patted down Oliver and recovered an Iver Johnson .22 caliber pistol in his front pants pocket.  Record checks revealed Oliver had been convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Domestic Battery in Kanawha County Magistrate Court in January 2017, and also of Second Offense Domestic Battery in March 2017.   These domestic violence convictions resulted in Oliver being prohibited from carrying a firearm.  Oliver admitted to the police officers that he possessed the firearm and was not supposed to do so.  The ATF traced the gun, revealing that it had traveled in interstate commerce.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is handling the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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 Detroit, Michigan man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Joshua McCarver, 20, entered a guilty plea today to knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl in federal court in Huntington.

“Our partnership with the Huntington Police Department is critical to our efforts in Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.),” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We anticipate prosecuting a significant number of fentanyl dealers over the next several months.  Perhaps these out-of-state fentanyl dealers will take notice and curtail their travel into West Virginia.” 

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. 

McCarver faces up to 20 years when he is sentenced on March 25, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic narcotic that works on the brain like other opioids, such as  morphine or heroin, but is 50 to 100 times more potent, and can easily cause an overdose. In 2016, the latest year for which numbers are available, fentanyl surpassed heroin as the deadliest drug in the United States, taking more than 18,000, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This case is being 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –   Two men who took part in a conspiracy resulting in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine across several counties in West Virginia appeared in federal court yesterday, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Marquis Edward Henderson, 32, of Bronx, New York entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and prohibited possession of firearms by convicted felon.  Rigoberto Fernandez, Jr., 29, of Scottsdale, Arizona was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  United States Attorney Stuart commended the work of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

“This investigation shut down another dangerous, multi-state drug trafficking network that was bringing a significant amount of meth into our communities,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly with my team of prosecutors to dismantle drug trafficking organizations peddling their poisons in West Virginia.”

From at least February of 2016 to June of 2017, Henderson and others obtained quantities of methamphetamine and heroin from California which were mailed to the Huntington and Cross Lanes areas.  Henderson and others would then distribute the drugs to customers in Cabell, Putnam, and Kanawha counties.  Henderson admitted that during the conspiracy, he and others utilized a residence and a storage unit in Cross Lanes to store, prepare and distribute drugs.  Henderson also employed others to distribute drugs by providing large quantities of drugs on credit and receiving payment for the drugs after they were sold. 

On March 10, 2017, Fernandez assisted Henderson by shipping methamphetamine from California to West Virginia after Henderson arranged to distribute the methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Huntington.  The informant was instructed by Henderson to transfer payment for the drugs to Fernandez in California.  The informant also provided Fernandez an address where the drugs were to be shipped.  After receiving the payment, Fernandez mailed the drugs from the United States Post Office in Carson, California to the address provided by the informant.  Agents seized the package on March 13, 2017, and it was found to contain over 440 grams of methamphetamine.  A forensic chemist later analyzed the methamphetamine and found it to be 98% pure. 

On June 1, 2017, agents executed search warrants at the residence and storage unit in Cross Lanes.  During the search, agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and over 3 kilograms of methamphetamine that was found to be 98% pure after testing by a forensic chemist.  Henderson admitted he was previously convicted of a felony offense and thus, was prohibited from possessing firearms.  As part of his plea, Henderson also admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.

Henderson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 18, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecutions. The hearings were held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man and Operation Saigon Sunset defendant was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for his role in a federal drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lonnie Berry, II, 43, previously pled guilty to an indictment which charged him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.  This investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.  

“Another defendant sentenced to prison for his role in the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO),” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “There is no revolving door for defendants convicted on federal charges.”

Berry admitted that between October 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” and Manget Peterson, also known as “Money,” to distribute heroin in Huntington, West Virginia.  Berry admitted that he sold heroin for Manget Peterson on a daily basis in Huntington. 

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 Detroit, Michigan man pled guilty yesterday to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Octavius Ellis, 23, entered a guilty plea today to knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl.  Stuart praised the work of the Huntington Police Department.

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug in the country,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “So far in 2018, we have seized enough fentanyl to kill more than 1.6 million West Virginians.  That is why my team will prosecute every fentanyl dealer law enforcement identifies.”

On January 19, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department’s Special Emphasis Unit utilized a confidential informant to arrange a controlled buy of heroin from Ellis. Ellis 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. 

Ellis faces up to 20 years when he is sentenced on March 18, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic narcotic that works on the brain like other opioids, such as  morphine or heroin, but is 50 to 100 times more potent, and can easily cause an overdose. According to a report released by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl surpassed heroin as the deadliest drug in the United States, taking more than 18,000 lives in 2016.

This case is being 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Milton man caught with a heroin/fentanyl mixture that he intended to sell earlier this year pled guilty yesterday to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Jeremy A. Kinder, 39, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute heroin in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.

“Fentanyl is deadly,” said United States Mike Stuart.  “And it’s being mixed with numerous illicit drugs, not just heroin.  We are doing everything within our power to reduce overdose deaths – including prosecuting every readily provable fentanyl case in Cabell County as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).”

On April 4, 2018, investigators executed a search warrant at Kinder’s residence located at 1113 Amos Street in Milton.  Kinder was in his residence during the search and investigators found 29 grams of heroin in Kinder’s pocket.  Investigators also found over $6,600 in cash and digital scales used to weigh heroin in Kinder’s residence.  Kinder admitted that he intended to sell the heroin in the Milton area.  Kinder also admitted that he had been distributing heroin in the Milton area over the previous four-month period and that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 400 grams of heroin.  The heroin seized during the search was tested by a chemist with the West Virginia State Police Laboratory and was found to also contain fentanyl, a powerful opiate painkiller.  

Kinder faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 18, 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.

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

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man caught with fentanyl earlier this year in Huntington pled guilty yesterday to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Maurice D. Eaddy, Jr., 20, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Police Department.

“Drug dealers peddling fentanyl, or other illicit drugs laced with fentanyl, will face federal drug charges,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We aim to reduce the supply of fentanyl through aggressive prosecution of fentanyl dealers and ultimately save lives.”

On May 23, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department were conducting surveillance at the Greyhound bus station in Huntington when they observed Eaddy and another individual known to investigators arrive on a bus from Detroit.  Officers continued to conduct surveillance and observed Eaddy and the other individual enter a residence on West 7th Avenue in Huntington.  Eaddy was then seen leaving the residence and entering a vehicle which was subsequently stopped by officers.  During the traffic stop, officers recovered a bag containing over 100 grams of fentanyl from Eaddy.  Eaddy admitted that he was taking the fentanyl to a local motel to store it for the other individual and that he intended to provide additional fentanyl to the driver of the vehicle in which he was riding during the stop.      

Eaddy faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 11, 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.

This case is being 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. – A Dunbar man received a mandatory 10 year prison sentence for methamphetamine distribution, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Schauwne Martin, 36, previously pled guilty to possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  Martin further agreed to the destruction of the firearms that were associated with his criminal activity.   Stuart commended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force for their investigation.

“Big time meth dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Gets a big time sentence.”

Martin admitted that on February 28, 2017, law enforcement found a loaded .380 caliber, semiautomatic handgun, approximately 94 grams of  methamphetamine, and digital scales in his kitchen in Dunbar, West Virginia. Martin also admitted to DEA agents that he possessed another handgun, and that he had sold methamphetamine to informants on seven other occasions.   Martin admitted that he kept the firearms for protection of his drug trafficking business.  DEA lab testing confirmed the purity of the methamphetamine as well as the weight of 94 grams, exceeding the 50 gram weight that triggers the mandatory ten year statutory penalty.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and former Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj were responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence on December 6, 2018.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a federal inmate pled guilty to a weapon charge.  Colin Threadgill, 27, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at McDowell, pled guilty to possessing a handcrafted weapon known as a “shank” at the prison on August 10.  A staff member at the prison observed Threadgill in possession of the weapon and recovered it from him.  Threadgill faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2019.

“Another shank,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Another federal inmate must want to extend his stay at an FCI.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.  United States Magistrate Judge Omar Aboulhosn presided at the plea hearing.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two individuals were sentenced today for their roles in the Peterson drug trafficking organization (DTO), announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  The Operation Saigon Sunset investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violet Crime and Drug Task Force West.

“DEA and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West did an outstanding job in this investigation,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “There is no revolving door in the federal system, and drug traffickers causing havoc and despair in our cities, will find themselves behind bars.”

David Miller, also known as “John,” 26, who was caught with fentanyl and cocaine, was sentenced to 90 months in prison.  Miller previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  Miller admitted that between August 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” and Manget Peterson, also known as “Money,” to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Huntington, West Virginia.  As part of the plea agreement, Miller admitted that in March 2018 he traveled to Detroit, Michigan and purchased fentanyl and cocaine.   Michigan State Police conducted a traffic stop on Miller and recovered 195 grams of fentanyl and 27 grams of cocaine.  Miller admitted he intended to transport the substances to Huntington to sell.

Ashley Pardue, 33, who was caught selling heroin, was sentenced to time served.  Pardue previously pled guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Pardue admitted to selling heroin in January 2018 at the WalMart on Route 60 in Huntington.

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

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman caught selling heroin earlier this year pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Shirley Lacieann Burlile, 27, entered a guilty plea to distributing heroin in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.

“Since my first day in office as United States Attorney, I have made Huntington a priority,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We have increased our prosecutorial resources in Huntington to focus on drug traffickers and violent offenders and have significantly increased the number of defendants prosecuted for such crimes.  We’re succeeding – not winning yet – and there is no doubt Huntington is a safer city today than the day I took over as United States Attorney.”

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

During the plea hearing, Burlile admitted that, from at least November 2017 to April 2018, she conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Huntington area.  Burlile also admitted to conducting another heroin deal on April 11, 2018, in Huntington.  Burlile admitted that she was responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin during her participation in the conspiracy. 

Burlile faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on March 4, 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 Columbus, Ohio man who helped set up multiple drug deals in Huntington in August and September of 2016 was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Carl Keylow Jackson, 38, previously pled guilty in May 2018 to two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin, as well as aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine base, also known as “crack.”  United States Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“Another dangerous drug dealer from Ohio taken off the streets of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “He won’t be back for a while and he definitely won’t be “dotting the I” at an Ohio State football game.”

On September 13, 2016, law enforcement used a confidential informant to contact Jackson and arrange a crack deal.  When the informant called Jackson, the informant was directed to go to the area of the Little Caesar’s on 1st Street in Huntington.  Jackson also confirmed how much crack the informant wanted to purchase and the price for the crack.  Another individual subsequently met the informant and distributed 6.5 grams of crack to the informant in exchange for $850.  Jackson also admitted to assisting in the sale of heroin in Huntington on at least two occasions in August 2016.  On one occasion, the heroin purchased by an informant was tested by a chemist and found to be mixed with fentanyl, a powerful prescription painkiller.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Charleston men were sentenced to prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.    United States District Judge Joseph Robert Goodwin sentenced Richard Sales, 40, and Eric Davison, 26, to 25 and 40 months in prison, respectively.  Stuart praised the work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).   

“MDENT does a tremendous job in removing drug dealers, their poisons and their guns from the streets of Charleston,” said United States Mike Stuart.  “The partnership my team has with the various drug and violent crime task forces throughout the Southern District is vital in fighting the drug epidemic.”

Sales and Davison previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin in Kanawha County in March of 2016.  They both admitted that they conspired to sell heroin in Charleston and St. Albans from March 1 to March 25, 2016.  Sales admitted that during that time, he supplied Davison with heroin. Davison, in turn, admitted that he sold heroin to a confidential informant on three occasions in furtherance of the conspiracy.  The investigation culminated with a search of Sales’ apartment, during which officers recovered over 80 grams of heroin and a loaded handgun from Sales’ bedroom. 

Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that two practitioners were sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Irene Berger for drug crimes in connection with the HOPE Clinic.  Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the West Virginia State Police, the Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, Appalachia HIDTA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Healthcare professionals that contribute to the drug epidemic, must be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Again, a drug dealer is a drug dealer, whether they are a street dealer, cartel leader or they wear a lab coat.”

Karl O’Dell, 62, a pharmacist and former owner of Boyd County Pharmacy in Ashland, Kentucky, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for a conspiracy to misbrand oxycodone and hydrocodone. O’Dell was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and serve one year of supervised release following his term of imprisonment during which he is prohibited from working as a pharmacist. O’Dell also agreed to a civil settlement with the United States for the total gross proceeds he earned as a result of the conspiracy for $42,054.45.

O’Dell admitted that he conspired to misbrand oxycodone and hydrocodone and introduce them into interstate commerce when he manufactured compounded oxycodone and hydrocodone not for medically legitimate purposes and outside the course of professional practice for customers of HOPE Clinic in anticipation of prescriptions written by HOPE Clinic practitioners. O’Dell admitted that in furtherance of the conspiracy, on two separate occasions, once in July 2014 and once in August 2014, he received prescriptions for two different customers of HOPE Clinic written by two different practitioners at HOPE Clinic each for 120 oxycodone 32 mg compounded capsules and that he dispensed the capsules to the customers knowing that there was no medically legitimate need for the compounded prescriptions.  

In imposing the O’Dell’s sentence, Judge Berger stated that O’Dell’s “creative conspiracy” with the HOPE Clinic and his conduct made it possible for HOPE Clinic to continue to operate “like a pill mill” while other pharmacies were refusing to fill HOPE Clinic prescriptions and that O’Dell was an “integral link” in the conspiracy. The Court further noted that during O’Dell’s twenty-month participation in the conspiracy, at no point did his conscience or his oath stop him from participating but instead, he compounded to evade oversight and in doing so his conduct was more like a drug-trafficker.  

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution of O’Dell.

Teresa Emerson, 59, of Bristol, Virginia, was sentenced to three years of probation for aiding and abetting obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  Emerson was also order to complete 100 hours of community service. Emmerson further agreed to surrender her DEA registration as part of her plea agreement with the United States.

Emerson worked as a licensed family nurse practitioner at the HOPE Clinic in Wytheville, Virginia, where she was authorized to write prescriptions for controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes in the usual course of professional practice. Emerson admitted that on February 4, 2015, while working at the clinic, she signed a prescription for 145 oxycodone compound 32 mg to patient J.W. that was not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional medical practice. Emerson admitted that she simply signed the prescription for what J.W. had previously been prescribed despite the fact that J.W. had at least three abnormal drug screens including testing positive for drugs she had not been prescribed and testing negative for drugs that she was prescribed.  Emerson further admitted that J.W.’s chart reflected that she had admitted to getting drugs off the street and during one of her visits, a staff member noted “track marks on her right arm.” During the plea hearing, Emerson admitted that despite these “red flags” she did not discuss the possibility of addiction with J.W. and that J.W.’s medical records did not support the initial prescription for pain medicine or any of the subsequent prescriptions for pain medicine. After receiving the prescription provided to her by Emerson on February 4, 2015, Emerson admitted that J.W. filled the prescription for the oxycodone at a pharmacy in Gilbert, Mingo County, West Virginia. J.W. has since admitted to being an addict and seeking the pills from HOPE Clinic for the purpose of feeding her addiction.

In imposing the sentence, the Court noted that as a nurse practitioner, Emerson prescribed oxycodone and other controlled substances under a supervising physician. The Court further noted that while there were no legal victims to the crime, there were victims in that HOPE Clinic and Ms. Emerson, through working there, put opioids on the street, fed people’s addictions, and that patients coming to HOPE Clinic were not receiving legitimate medical care.

Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman and Steven I. Loew handled the prosecution of Emerson.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A St. Albans man was sentenced today for gun and counterfeit crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Joshua Hicks, 35, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the St. Albans Police Department, the United States Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“Several prior felony convictions.  Still carrying guns. And getting counterfeit currency to purchase drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “It is with a great sense of urgency that we continue our efforts to get violent offenders off our streets.  More to come.”

In August, Hicks pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to possession of counterfeit United States currency.  Hicks admitted that he had several prior felony convictions and that he possessed four firearms on different occasions.  He also admitted that he purchased counterfeit currency on the internet and he intended to use the counterfeit currency to purchase drugs.

Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew handled the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a Nitro man was sentenced for a federal drug crime.  Jon Green, Jr., 49, of Nitro, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Joseph Goodwin to 40 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.  Stuart commended the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the case.

“Meth is flooding Kanawha County,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “But DEA and our other law enforcement partners are pushing back, identifying and investigating meth dealers, resulting in convictions that carry stiff penalties.”

Green pled guilty in August admitting that on August 30th, and again on September 1st and 14th, 2017, he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The transactions occurred at defendant’s 7th Street residence in Nitro.

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Defendant had  a prior deportation in 2012

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Guatemalan national man was sentenced to “time-served” after spending over three months federally incarcerated, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Domingo Celestino Pacheco-Us, 37, pleaded guilty on October 4, 2018 to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien.  After the sentencing, Pacheco-Us was immediately remanded by Judge Irene C. Berger into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) custody to begin the commencement of deportation proceedings.   Stuart commended the investigative efforts of ICE.

“Far too many immigrants enter this country illegally, knowing that if found, they will be deported pursuant to federal immigration laws,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We embrace those immigrants who abide by our laws, but will prosecute and deport those who evade our laws.”

On August 15, 2018, Pacheco-Us was found in Ripley, Jackson County, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that individuals were in the country illegally and working at a restaurant in Ripley, West Virginia.  Pursuant to this investigation,  ICE agents approached Pacheco-Us and he surrendered to them, offering a Guatemalan identification document. Agents immediately confirmed that Pacheco-Us was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.

Pacheco-Us fingerprints matched him to a 2012 prior encounter where he was found in South Komelik, Arizona on October 8, 2012 and deported from the United States to Guatemala on October 31, 2012.   He illegally reentered the United States prior to his capture in 2018.  Pacheco-Us had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship.  Pacheco-Us admitted to ICE agents that he was a Guatemalan citizen and subject to deportation proceedings both in 2012 and also in 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar man pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Tajae Dasjuan Mosley, 27, entered his guilty plea before United States District Irene C. Berger.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Virginia State Police.

“More meth.  Another prohibited person with a gun,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “These are all too familiar crimes in West Virginia, which we will continue to aggressively prosecute.”

On July 10, 2018, Mosley was arrested at his Howard Avenue apartment following a long-term investigation of methamphetamine trafficking in and around the Smoot Avenue and Howard Avenue apartments.  Police seized three firearms from the residence.  Mosley admitted that he had been distributing methamphetamine since at least November 2017 and that he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to being a habitual drug user.

Mosley faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 50 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 10, 2019.   Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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Defendant had one prior deportation to Mexico

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Mexican national man entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Heriberto Tadeo faces up to two years of incarceration when he is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2019.  Tadeo is also subject to deportation proceedings at the conclusion of any sentence.   Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Our immigration laws must be enforced,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Those who want to remain in this great country, must enter it legally, and abide by our laws.”

On October 17, 2018, Tadeo was found in Ronceverte, Greenbrier County, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that individuals were in the country illegally and working in the area.  Pursuant to this investigation,  ICE agents approached Tadeo and he surrendered to them. Agents immediately confirmed that Tadeo was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.

Tadeo’s fingerprints matched a prior encounter where he was found near Hidalgo, Texas and deported from the United States to Mexico in 2016.  Tadeo illegally reentered the United States prior to his capture in 2018.  Tadeo had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship.  Tadeo also admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene Berger presided over the hearing.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Huntington men were sentenced to prison for their roles in the Peterson drug trafficking organization (DTO), announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   The Operation Saigon Sunset investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.  

“Fentanyl and heroin have caused so many of our citizens to die of overdose,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “To put drug peddlers like Sykes and Graves behind bars is a big win for the people of Huntington.”

Lawrence Sykes, Jr., also known as “Boog,” 26, who was caught selling fentanyl in November 2017, was sentenced to 33 months in prison. Sykes previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  Sykes admitted that between August 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Manget Peterson to sell heroin in the Huntington, West Virginia area.  As part of the plea agreement, Sykes admitted to distributing approximately 28 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant in November 2017.   

Charles Graves, also known as “Bo,” 46, who was caught selling heroin in February 2018, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Graves previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Graves admitted that in January and February 2018 he conspired with Manget Peterson to sell heroin in the Huntington, West Virginia area.  As part of the plea agreement, Graves admitted to distributing heroin to a confidential informant in February 2018.   

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Chapmanville man pled guilty today to drug and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Courtney Edward Dalton, 39, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. 119 Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“When we find guns on drug dealers, we will charge them with both drug and gun crimes,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We will not tolerate gun-toting drug dealers in our communities.”  

On March 13, 2018, as part of an ongoing drug investigation, police stopped Dalton as he was driving on WV Route 10 in Harts, Lincoln County, West Virginia.  Upon searching the vehicle, police found approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, marijuana, scales, and a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol.  Dalton admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and that he carried the pistol in order to protect himself from being robbed of his drugs. 

Dalton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 20, 2019.   Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two more Operation Saigon Sunset defendants have been sentenced to prison in connection with their roles in the Peterson drug trafficking organization (DTO), announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart praised the joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.  

“Bringing an end to the Peterson drug network which had been operating in Huntington for some time signaled change and hope in Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We will protect every community throughout southern West Virginia by eradicating drug dealers that prey on our good citizens.”

Luther Peterson, also known as “Mook,” 24, from Detroit, was caught selling heroin in October 2017 and later pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Peterson was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Peterson admitted that between October 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Willie Peterson and Manget Peterson to sell heroin in the Huntington area.  As part of the plea agreement, Peterson admitted to distributing heroin to a confidential informant in October 2017.     

Terrell Redd, 43, of Huntington, was caught selling heroin in February 2018, and pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Redd admitted that in January and February 2018 he conspired with Manget Peterson and Charles Graves, Jr. to sell heroin in the Huntington, WV area.  As part of the plea agreement, Redd admitted to distributing heroin to a confidential informant in February 2018.   

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that two defendants pled guilty to federal drug charges before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.  Darla Reed, 39, of Alderson, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.  Jacqueline Pauley, 29, of Sophia, pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.  Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

“Unfortunately, meth seems to be the drug of choice throughout much of southern West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Drug task forces are working closely with us to get meth dealers off the streets.”

Reed admitted that on June 13, 2018, she used text messages to arrange to purchase an ounce of methamphetamine from Jacqueline Pauley and another person.  Later, Pauley and the other person met Reed in Sam Black Church in Greenbrier County, where Pauley distributed about an ounce of methamphetamine to Reed.  Reed was immediately stopped by police and admitted that she intended to sell some of the methamphetamine that she had just purchased from Pauley.   Pauley admitted that she had helped set up and complete the deal with Reed. 

Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on March 6, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Lincoln County man caught with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a firearm in January 2018 was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Chad Anthony Wilson, 27, of West Hamlin, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Hurricane Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Fentanyl.  Meth.  Firearm.  Dangerous and deadly,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “If you are a drug dealer like Wilson, look over your shoulder, our law enforcement partners will find you.  And if you are carrying a firearm during your drug crimes, expect significant prison time.”

Wilson admitted that late at night on January 8, 2018, he was sitting in his Chevy Impala, which was parked across all the dividers in the parking lot of American Inn in Hurricane. A Hurricane police officer approached the car, introduced himself, and saw a bag containing a crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine in the center console of the vehicle. When the officer asked if there were any weapons in the car, Wilson told the officer that he had a gun in the passenger seat, though he refused to hand over the weapon. A backup officer arrived shortly after and secured the gun, later identified as a Taurus, Millennium PT111, 9mm pistol.

Once the weapon was secure, officers asked Wilson if there were any more weapons or narcotics in the vehicle. Wilson told the officer about the bag in the center console. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered that bag of suspected methamphetamine, as well as another bag containing 18.57 grams of a substance that was analyzed by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory and confirmed to be fentanyl.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Cheryl McGrath, 51, pled guilty to escaping from the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police.

“As the saying goes, if you do the crime, you have got to do the time,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Escaping will only land you back in prison with an even longer sentence.”

McGrath admitted that on July 26, 2018, she was an inmate at that prison, when she left without authorization.  She was captured the next day, several miles from the prison.

McGrath faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced on  March 6, 2019.       Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.  United States District Court Judge Irene Berger presided over the hearing.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Georgia man pled guilty yesterday to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jahrius Whitehead, 26, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.

“Every traffic stop is a potentially dangerous situation for law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Whitehead certainly presented a dangerous situation for everyone around him, but our law enforcement partners continue to make every effort to keep our highways safe and stop the deadly flow of drugs into West Virginia.”

Whitehead admitted that on September 5, 2018, he was pulled over on I-64 for speeding.  Whitehead fled the traffic stop.  Officers pursued him on I-64.  Whitehead wrecked his vehicle and ran from his vehicle on foot.  Officers found him a short distance from the interstate.  After he gave officers consent to search his vehicle, officers located approximately 151 grams of cocaine and approximately 392 grams of marijuana.  He admitted to officers that he had traveled to Huntington to sell the cocaine and marijuana.   

Whitehead faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 25, 2019.

The Kenova 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. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that on November 15, 2018, United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Joshua Morrison, 21, of Wayne County, to 37 months in prison for sexually abusing a minor while aboard a cruise ship in international waters.  Morrison was ordered to serve 10 years on federal supervised release after completion of his prison term and will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“Egregious crime,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Child sex offenders belong behind bars and that’s where Morrison is headed.”

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Emily Wasserman is handling the prosecution.

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

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  A Huntington man pled guilty yesterday to embezzling over $80,000 of his brother’s Veteran’s benefits.  The case was investigated by the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

David Washington, 55, was appointed his brother's fiduciary to receive and manage benefits from the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Washington failed to submit accounting reports, which led investigators to question his management. Washington later admitted to mismanagement, including spending his brother's benefits for his own personal expenses. The total amount misappropriated was over $81,000.

“Our veterans have sacrificed enough and have earned every dollar this country provides them through benefit programs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “It’s despicable to think that anyone, much less a family member, would steal benefits from a veteran for their own personal use.”

Washington faces up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced in February 2019.  United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.  Assistant United States Attorneys Gabe Wohl and R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Shawn Bryson, Columbus man, was sentenced yesterday to 37 months for selling crack cocaine within 1000 feet of Marshall University in July 2017, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.

“Marshall University and its student population are the heart of the City of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “To the parents of current and future students of Marshall University, please know that we are doing everything within our power to keep the criminal element away from campus.  Drug dealers doing business on or near campus will be held accountable.”

On July 6, 2017, an individual told officers he had just purchased crack cocaine from “Shorty” at 1531 Rear Avenue, Apartment A in Huntington.  Officers conducted a search warrant and recovered approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine.  Bryson admitted that he intended to sell that crack cocaine as well.   

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

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Branchland men who were responsible for thefts of firearms from a Barboursville pawn shop were sentenced to federal prison yesterday, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Robert Lee Reid, 23, who previously entered guilty pleas to three counts of theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer and an additional count of possession of stolen firearms, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.  Jonathan Chafin, 18, who previously entered a guilty plea to theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.  Stuart commended the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Hamlin Police Department. 

“Unbelievably bad decisions were made by these two young men when they decided to steal guns,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “And the last thing the City of Huntington needs is for its neighborhoods to be flooded with stolen firearms.” 

On three separate occasions, Reid broke into Sportsmen’s Gun and Pawn located at 6440 US Route 60 in Barboursville to steal firearms.  On May 15, 2017, Reid stole a total of 164 firearms from Sportsmen’s.  The firearms were subsequently sold by Reid in Huntington.  On September 29, 2017, Reid stole an additional 6 firearms from Sportsmen’s which he sold in the Guyandotte neighborhood of Huntington.  Finally, on December 7, 2017, Reid stole a total of 10 firearms from Sportsmen’s.  Reid was subsequently picked up in a vehicle and the vehicle was stopped in West Hamlin by a West Hamlin Police Officer.  During the traffic stop, the officer located the stolen firearms in the rear of the vehicle.  Chafin previously pleaded guilty to assisting Reid in the December theft and was present in the vehicle when the firearms were recovered.  Reid was also ordered to pay over $68,000 in restitution at today’s hearing.

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

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man was sentenced this week to 41 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

“Another dangerous offender is removed from the streets of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Rest assured we are keeping our focus on Project Huntington even as we start similar initiatives in other cities throughout southern West Virginia.”

On March 22, 2018, a Huntington Police Officer on patrol observed a Honda Accord with an expired registration sticker. The officer activated his emergency lights and began pursuing the vehicle. Landruis Boose, the driver of the Honda, admitted that he attempted to flee from the officer by speeding through a residential area of Huntington and crossing several busy intersections while not yielding or stopping for oncoming traffic. Boose further admitted that he eventually stopped at a parking lot, exited the car, and fled on foot.

Law enforcement soon apprehended Boose, and he admitted that he was carrying a backpack with a box of .45 caliber bullets. Boose additionally admitted that he had a set of digital scales and $380 cash in his pockets. Boose was prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law because of a 2009 felony drug conviction in Cabell County Circuit Court.

AUSA Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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He stole over $46,000 in a little more than a month from Pleasant Valley Hospital

in Point Pleasant, West Virginia

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Point Pleasant man pled guilty yesterday to embezzling more than $45,000 from the Pleasant Valley Hospital, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Kevin L. Durst, 62, faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on February 19, 2019.  He has agreed to pay restitution to the Hospital in the amount of  $46,021.57 before he is sentenced.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Prosecutions like this are extremely important,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Local hospitals are so critical to West Virginia communities and any amount of financial loss can be devastating to healthcare providers and patients through higher costs.”

Durst admitted as a financial analyst at Pleasant Valley Hospital, he had access to the Hospital’s online bank accounts and could initiate wire transfers on certain of those accounts. He further admitted that he secretly wrote checks to benefit himself and to his family’s private cemetery from a Hospital account that he knew was dormant and was not scrutinized by other Hospital officials.  He also admitted that he transferred funds from the Hospital’s active accounts to the dormant account to ensure that there were abundant funds for his personal use.  He further admitted that he initiated wire transfers to the Internal Revenue Service out of Hospital accounts to make federal tax payments for his family’s cemetery. He embezzled the funds between July 20, 2016, and August 22, 2016.

Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas was in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Zanesville, Ohio man who possessed methamphetamine and a firearm in Huntington in 2017 was sentenced today to 137 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Rico Rodriquez Allen, 43, previously pled guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Stuart credited the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the Huntington Police Department. 

“As I’ve said before, when we identify violent Ohio drug dealers in our cities, we will prosecute them and, if convicted, seek to lock them up for as long as possible,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Allen will now be spending over 11 years in federal prison.”

On September 16, 2017, HPD officers were dispatched to a man slumped over his steering wheel in a private driveway in Huntington.  When officers arrived, Allen refused to exit the vehicle.  As Allen was being removed from the vehicle, a Glock 22 pistol fell from underneath Allen.  Officers then obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.  Officers recovered approximately 162 grams of methamphetamine from a void in the center console.  Officers also recovered approximately 100 baggies, four telephones, and a bullet proof vest.  

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

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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