Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man who used a gun to steal a taxi was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Marshall Leroy Saunders, 29, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking.

Saunders was a suspect in an unrelated crime when police observed him entering a taxi in Vienna on October 6, 2016. Saunders admitted that when police attempted to pull the taxi over, he pointed a loaded pistol at the driver and ordered him out of the vehicle. Saunders then took control of the taxi and fled to Parkersburg, driving at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, running a red light, and driving the taxi southbound in the northbound lane of Grand Central Avenue. Saunders abandoned the taxi in Parkersburg, then hid in a wooded area until he was apprehended by police. 

The Vienna Police Department, the Parkersburg Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James Matthew Davis handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. David Ellis Murray, 48, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which is anywhere from 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

Murray admitted that on October 20, 2016, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted a traffic stop of his vehicle. During the stop, officers recovered 1.13 grams of fentanyl from Murray. He later admitted that he intended to distribute the fentanyl. Officers then executed a search warrant at Murray’s residence on Lewis Street in Charleston and seized an additional 6.62 grams of fentanyl, as well as 7.37 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and a gun.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including fentanyl. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Rock Hudson Williams, also known as “Rocky,” 60, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the distribution of crack.

Williams admitted that on July 24, 2015, he sold crack to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deal took place in the Dollar General parking lot in Cross Lanes.

Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 29, 2018.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including crack.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men pleaded guilty today to federal weapons charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Steven Jones, 31, of Ripley, entered his guilty plea to possession of an unregistered weapon. In a separate prosecution, Jamie Edward Smith, 30, of Montgomery, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jones admitted that on November 6, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in Ripley and located a metal pipe bomb, gun powder, and other items used for a destructive device. Jones admitted in a Mirandized interview that he had built the pipe bomb, along with two others he had detonated on his property. The pipe bomb was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

In a separate prosecution, Smith admitted that on December 20, 2016, he possessed a Raven Arms .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol at a Montgomery apartment complex. Smith was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2008 felony conviction in Fayette County Circuit Court for breaking and entering. 

Both defendants face up to 10 years in federal prison. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2018. Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2018.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Jones. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is in charge of the Jones prosecution. The plea hearing for Jones was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

The investigation of Smith was conducted by the Montgomery Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis is responsible for the Smith prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over Smith’s plea hearing.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Boone County men pleaded guilty today to federal gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.  Jason Allen Davis, 34, of Van, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Joshua Wade Sheets, 32, of Danville, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the receipt, possession, and sale of stolen firearms. 

Davis and Sheets are two of four defendants indicted in August 2017 and charged with stealing guns from a Boone County firearms dealer. Davis admitted to serving as a lookout for Sheets in November 2016 while Sheets broke into the store and stole multiple firearms. Sheets admitted to arranging a sale of guns that were stolen from the same dealer in an earlier burglary. 

Sheets and Davis each face up to 10 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 21, 2018.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James Matthew Davis is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Wayne County man who assisted others in distributing oxycodone in the Fort Gay area in 2015 and 2016 was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dennis Ransbottom, Jr., 32, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Between November 2015 and November 2016, Ransbottom participated in the conspiracy with others, including an oxycodone source from Detroit. During the conspiracy, the source frequently transported oxycodone pills from Michigan to Fort Gay to distribute, and would notify Ransbottom upon arrival in West Virginia. Ransbottom agreed to introduce individuals to the source, or otherwise arrange for customers to meet the source to buy pills. On November 29, 2016, Ransbottom was arrested along with another individual while they were meeting outside of the Pit Stop gas station in Fort Gay. Investigators located and seized a total of 382 thirty mg oxycodone tablets during the arrest.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Beckley woman pleaded guilty today for her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Detria S. Carter, 33, entered her guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Carter is one of 23 defendants indicted in June 2017 after a comprehensive investigation of drug trafficking in Southern West Virginia.

Carter admitted that between October 2016 and June 28, 2017, she took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants. During this time period, she was assisting her brother, Velarian Carter, a codefendant who previously pleaded guilty, in maintaining a drug trafficking organization while he was incarcerated on unrelated drug charges. The drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing cocaine, crack, and heroin in and around Raleigh County. Carter admitted to having other participants in the conspiracy cook cocaine into crack at her house and to distributing the drugs in and around Southern West Virginia. 

Additionally, Carter admitted that on May 25, 2017, she was stopped by the Beckley Police Department. Law enforcement discovered that Carter possessed 996 grams of cocaine, approximately 454 grams of crack, and a quantity of fentanyl. Carter admitted that it was her intent, and the intent of the drug trafficking organization, to distribute these controlled substances in Raleigh County. Law enforcement also seized two firearms from the same bag where the drugs were found.   

Carter faces at least five and up to 40 years federal prison when she is sentenced on April 24, 2018.

Other individuals implicated as a result of this drug investigation have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, two brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of heroin. They both face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2018. Dominic Copney, of Beckley, previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018. Velarian Carter, the brother of Detria Carter, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of crack, and more than 100 grams of heroin. He faces at least 20 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018.

This prosecution was made possible through the cooperative efforts of several investigating agencies. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service provided assistance throughout the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of these prosecutions. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to 13 years in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. In September 2017, Brian D. Terry, 32, was found guilty by a federal jury sitting in Charleston following his trial for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

Witnesses for the United States testified that on April 20, 2016, Terry was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for speeding by officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The traffic stop took place in the St. Albans area, on MacCorkle Avenue close to Oliver Street. During the traffic stop, Terry consented to a search, and officers discovered approximately 195 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his groin area. A chemist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection testified at trial that the methamphetamine found on Terry was approximately 99% pure.

Officers arrested Terry and read him his Miranda rights. Subsequently, during the transport of Terry to South Central Regional Jail, he shared details of his drug trafficking activity with an officer, including the quantity of methamphetamine he sold and the price he charged. Both the traffic stop and the transport to the jail were recorded.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Clint Carte are in charge of the prosecution and tried the case before a federal jury. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence and presided over the trial.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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WASHINGTON – A Fayette County, West Virginia, business owner pleaded guilty today to failing to pay over employment taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Carol Casto for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

            According to documents and information provided to the court, from 2008 through 2012, Steve Lopez, 68, owned and operated Ready Transport Services (RTS), a transportation business that mainly provided taxi services.  From 2009 through 2012 he also owned RTS Ice Cream, Coffee and Candy Shop.  Both businesses were located in Montgomery, West Virginia.  Lopez was responsible for collecting and paying over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) social security, Medicare, and income taxes withheld from his employees’ wages.  He also was responsible for paying the employer’s share of his employees’ social security and Medicare taxes.  Lopez admitted that he did not pay approximately $393,851 in employment taxes due to the IRS, including funds he withheld from his employees’ paychecks as well as money he owed as their employer. 

            Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2018.  Lopez faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

            Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Casto commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Alexander Effendi and Mara Strier of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

            Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.

A Fayette County, West Virginia, business owner pleaded guilty today to failing to pay over employment taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Carol Casto for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

According to documents and information provided to the court, from 2008 through 2012, Steve Lopez, 68, owned and operated Ready Transport Services (RTS), a transportation business that mainly provided taxi services.  From 2009 through 2012 he also owned RTS Ice Cream, Coffee and Candy Shop.  Both businesses were located in Montgomery, West Virginia.  Lopez was responsible for collecting and paying over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) social security, Medicare, and income taxes withheld from his employees’ wages.  He also was responsible for paying the employer’s share of his employees’ social security and Medicare taxes.  Lopez admitted that he did not pay approximately $393,851 in employment taxes due to the IRS, including funds he withheld from his employees’ paychecks as well as money he owed as their employer. 

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2018.  Lopez faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Casto commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Alexander Effendi and Mara Strier of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Velarian S. Carter, 38, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of crack, and more than 100 grams of heroin. Carter is one of 23 defendants indicted in June 2017 after a comprehensive investigation of drug trafficking in Southern West Virginia.

Carter admitted that between October 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants while he was incarcerated. The drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing cocaine, crack, and heroin in and around Raleigh County. During the course of the conspiracy, Carter admitted to directing other participants outside of the jail to cook cocaine into crack and to distribute controlled substances in and around the Southern West Virginia. He also admitted that in some instances, he directed what prices should be charged for the drugs and how the money collected through the distribution of controlled substances should be distributed.   

Carter faces at least 20 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018. In a separate prosecution, Carter was sentenced in February 2017 to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a California-to-West Virginia drug conspiracy.

Other individuals implicated as a result of this drug investigation have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, two brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of heroin. They both face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2018. Dominic Copney, of Beckley, previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. He faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018.

This prosecution was made possible through the cooperative efforts of several investigating agencies. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service provided assistance throughout the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of these prosecutions. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Five federal inmates were sentenced today for possessing weapons at the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. As part of separate prosecutions, Scott Finnell, 29, was sentenced to a year and three months in prison; Misael Santana-Rivera, 32, was sentenced to a year and three months in prison; Antonio R. Azpeitia, 40, was sentenced to a year and three months in prison; Ernest Shields, 42, was sentenced to two years in prison; and Diego Ninos, 30, was sentenced to two years in prison. All of the defendants had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate of the institution.

Each inmate admitted to possessing a handcrafted weapon, commonly referred to as a “shank.” This year, from March until June, the weapons were either observed or discovered through searches by staff members of the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell. The objects were made out of a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and wood, and were sharpened to a point at one end. The inmates all admitted that the shanks were designed and intended to be used as weapons.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Elkview man who transported methamphetamine from Georgia to West Virginia was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Randy George Vance, 59, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

On January 13, 2016, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted a traffic stop of Vance as he was returning to West Virginia from Atlanta. During a search of Vance’s vehicle, officers recovered approximately 156 grams of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was lab-tested and confirmed to be over 80% pure. Vance admitted that he got the drugs in Atlanta and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriele Wohl is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County man pleaded guilty today to a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Christopher Chad Winnell, 36, of Marmet, entered his guilty plea to two counts of distribution of child pornography.

Winnell admitted that on December 20, 2014, he engaged in an email conversation from his residence discussing the exchange of child pornography. Winnell further admitted that the email discussion resulted in the exchange of child pornography images involving infants. Winnell also admitted that on November 7, 2015, he used a messaging service to share an image of child pornography involving an infant with multiple individuals. The investigation determined that the image was received by at least one individual in Canada. The investigation further revealed that Winnell possessed hundreds of images of child pornography stored in an online account.

Winnell faces at least 10 and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 20, 2018. Upon his release from prison, he will be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the West Virginia State Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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 couple who conspired to steal oxycodone and hydrocodone from packages mailed from the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans and then sold the pills from the stolen packages was sentenced to federal prison today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Amber Fox, 28, of Lesage in Cabell County, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after previously pleading guilty to mail theft. David Grove, Jr., 39, of Chillicothe, Ohio, was sentenced to two years in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute pain pills. Both Fox and Grove were also ordered to pay $453.80 in restitution. 

Fox was a federal postal support employee who worked in the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center. She used her job to steal pain pills by identifying packages that contained oxycodone and hydrocodone, specifically packages from the VA to veterans who were prescribed pain medication. Fox admitted that on March 17, 2015, she stole a package that contained 112 hydrocodone pills mailed from the VA to a veteran living in Raleigh County. After stealing the packages, Fox took the pills to the home that she shared with Grove in East Bank in Kanawha County. Together, they took some of the pills themselves and sold the remaining pills. Fox admitted to stealing between 45 and 50 postal packages containing thousands of oxycodone and hydrocodone pills from August 2014 to April 9, 2015. On April 9, 2015, law enforcement executed search warrants at the East Bank residence and located over 500 stolen oxycodone and hydrocodone pills. Both Fox and Grove gave statements admitting their involvement in the mail theft and drug distribution conspiracy. Fox is no longer an employee with the United States Postal Service.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation, with assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentences.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Beckley man pleaded guilty today for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dominic J. Copney, 24, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. Copney is one of 23 defendants indicted in June 2017 after a long-term investigation of drug trafficking in Southern West Virginia.

Copney admitted that between October 2016 and June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants that was responsible for distributing controlled substances in and around Raleigh County. During the course of the conspiracy, Copney also admitted to collecting money from other members of the drug trafficking organization that had been obtained from selling and distributing illegal controlled substances. Copney admitted that throughout the conspiracy, he distributed approximately three kilograms of cocaine and over 100 grams of heroin.  

Copney faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018.

Other individuals implicated as a result of this drug investigation have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, two brothers from Boomer in Fayette County, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of heroin. The both face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2018.

This prosecution was made possible through the cooperative efforts of several investigating agencies. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service provided assistance throughout the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of these prosecutions. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mingo County felon pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Robert Lee Brewer, 57, of Kermit, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On January 20, 2017, deputies with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office went to Brewer’s house to investigate a report that he had purchased a stolen gun. During an interview with law enforcement, Brewer admitted that he bought the gun, an F.I.E., Model E15, .22 caliber revolver. He further admitted that he knew he was not supposed to possess guns because of his felony conviction. Brewer additionally admitted that he had a rifle in his residence, and gave deputies permission to search. Deputies located the rifle, a Savage Arms, Model Mark II, .22 caliber rifle in Brewer’s house.

Through further investigation of pawn shop records, law enforcement determined that the .22 rifle was also stolen. Furthermore, Brewer admitted that in November 2016, he had another stolen firearm, a CBC, Model 715T, .22 caliber rifle, in his residence. Brewer was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of a 2012 conviction in Mingo County Circuit Court for delivery of hydrocodone.

The Mingo County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the plea hearing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who sold heroin in June 2016 was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. George Holloway, 45, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

On June 7, 2016, a confidential informant working with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force met Holloway at 833 26th Street in Huntington. The informant bought approximately 20 grams of heroin from Holloway. As part of the plea agreement, Holloway admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment, including that he distributed heroin in Huntington on four other occasions in 2015 and 2016. 

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington felon who possessed a firearm in January 2017 was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Jermaine D. Cathey, 36, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On January 2, 2017, officers from the Huntington Police Department observed Cathey walking and screaming in the middle of Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard in Huntington. When officers approached Cathey, they saw that he had a pistol in his right hand. Cathey was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of multiple felony convictions, including a 2013 conviction in Cabell County Circuit Court for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man caught with heroin and a firearm in July 2017 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Antonio Newson, 42, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

On July 10, 2017, officers with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Newson’s residence, located at 1748 Jefferson Avenue in Huntington. During the search, officers located approximately 983 grams of heroin in a closet, along with a firearm. Newson admitted that the heroin and the firearm belonged to him, and, as part of the plea agreement, he also admitted to the other drug activity charged in the indictment.

Newson faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 12, 2018.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor 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 an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Yusuf Ali, 38, entered his guilty plea to distribution of crack.

Ali admitted that on four occasions in August 2017, he sold crack to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deals took place in Charleston. On August 29, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ali’s residence and recovered over 130 grams of suspected crack and over 40 grams of suspected fentanyl.

Ali faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 15, 2018.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Lincoln County man faces up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty today for failing to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Cody Matthew Wroblewski, 32, of Harts, also faces a term of federal supervised release of at least five years and up to life following his sentence.

Wroblewski admitted that from January 2017 until his arrest on August 30, 2017, he failed to register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. On August 30, 2017, Wroblewski was located and arrested at his residence on Bag Harts Creek Road in Lincoln County. Wroblewski was required to register as a sex offender because of a 2011 South Carolina conviction for third degree criminal sexual conduct. He was also previously convicted in 2012 in South Carolina for failing to update his sex offender registration.

The United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the plea hearing.

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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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A former Chief Financial Officer for a Beckley lumber company who embezzled over $800,000 pleaded guilty yesterday, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. James Matthew Miller, 42, entered his guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud.

Miller formerly worked as an executive for a lumber company until September 2013. In his role as Chief Financial Officer, his responsibilities included oversight of log inventories from vendors. From approximately December 31, 2007, to August 30, 2013, Miller admitted that he issued payments to a sham vendor, a close friend of Miller’s, and falsely inflated log inventories to conceal the fraud. He created a fictitious log vendor that has never hauled or delivered logs to the lumber company. Miller also admitted that he created false payment requests and then drafted and signed checks from the lumber company to the fake vendor. The vendor cashed the checks or deposited the checks in his bank account, then provided Miller with the money, minus a small amount Miller permitted the vendor to keep. During the course of the fraud, Miller was responsible for 160 checks totaling $822,396.63 from the company to the sham vendor. Miller admitted that he concealed the fraud and committed wire fraud by submitting company reports based on artificially inflated log inventories, and then emailed the reports to a lumber mill manager in Tennessee and a BB&T in Georgia.

Miller faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he is sentenced on March 15, 2018.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the plea hearing.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston dentist who falsely billed West Virginia Medicaid and West Virginia Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for more than $700,000 was sentenced today to five years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Antoine Skaff, 58, previously pleaded guilty to health care fraud. Skaff also previously entered into a civil settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), DHHR’s Bureau for Medical Services, and the West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, in which he agreed to pay treble damages of $2.2 million, or three times the loss suffered by West Virginia Medicaid.

Skaff, a dentist, fraudulently billed West Virginia Medicaid and Medicaid MCOs for dental procedures that he did not actually perform on Medicaid recipients. Skaff’s scheme to defraud Medicaid and its MCOs lasted more than five years and involved upcoding and double billing. 

Skaff admitted that he falsely inflated his billings, a practice commonly known as upcoding, often by falsely claiming reimbursement for procedures involving impacted teeth. Typically, only wisdom teeth are impacted. However, Skaff admitted that he upcoded billings for tooth extractions by falsely informing Medicaid and its MCOs that he performed more complex procedures, such as extractions of impacted teeth, when he had actually performed simple extractions. Because Skaff upcoded these extractions, Medicaid and its MCOs paid Skaff $172 per extraction of each tooth, rather than $80 per tooth for a simple extraction. Skaff additionally admitted that he falsely upcoded at least 7,490 tooth extractions, billing more than $1.3 million for those procedures. He further admitted that if those extractions were medically necessary, and if had actually performed the procedures he claimed, then he should have been paid only $599,200.

Skaff also admitted that he submitted false bills and received payment twice for removing the same teeth from the same patients. Skaff first billed and received payments from Medicaid for the extraction of patients’ specific teeth. He then falsely billed and received payment again from Medicaid MCOs for extraction of the same teeth. Skaff admitted that he received $56,930 from his false double billings.

The West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the FBI, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement investigator from the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas is in charge of the criminal prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Mankins is responsible for the civil settlement. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Mexican nationals pleaded guilty today to immigration crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Rogelio Herrera-Hernandez, 50, and Jose Martinez-Santos, 30, entered guilty pleas to illegally reentering the United States after having been removed.

On September 18, 2017, Herrera-Hernandez was identified riding a bicycle in Ripley by agents of the Department of Homeland Security. Agents recognized him from a prior encounter in 2009, and Herrera-Hernandez confirmed his identity when they stopped the bike. Fingerprint comparison confirmed that Herrera-Hernandez had three prior removals from the United States, one on September 1, 2009, in Charleston, another on December 10, 2009, in Laredo, Texas, and another on December 11, 2009, also in Laredo. On each occasion after being removed, he then illegally reentered the United States. Herrera-Hernandez admitted that he had not formally applied for permission to legally enter the United States. 

In a separate prosecution, Martinez-Santos was identified by Department of Homeland Security agents in Charleston on September 26, 2017. He was a passenger in a van that was stopped by agents looking for another individual believed to be in the country illegally. Martinez-Santos confirmed his identity during the stop, and gave a sworn statement admitting that he had reentered the United States illegally. Agents also learned through fingerprint comparison that Martinez-Santos had two prior removals from the United States, one on March 3, 2011, in Staunton, Virginia, and another on September 6, 2015, in Henrico, Virginia. On both occasions after being removed, he then illegally reentered the United States. Martinez-Santos also admitted that he had not formally applied for permission to legally enter the United States. 

Herrera-Hernandez and Martinez-Santos both face up to two years in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 1, 2018. They are also both subject to removal proceedings at the conclusion of the cases.

The investigations were conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecutions. The plea hearings were held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two Fayette County men pleaded guilty today for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Cheyenne Fragale, 30, of Boomer, and his brother Macon Fragale, 34, also of Boomer, entered their guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of oxycodone, and a quantity of heroin. Both face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

Cheyenne and Macon Fragale admitted that between May 2017 and June 28, 2017, they took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple participants. They also admitted that during the course of the conspiracy, they distributed over 2,000 thirty mg tablets of oxycodone and over 500 grams of methamphetamine, as well as heroin. They additionally admitted that they sold the drugs in and around Fayette County. On June 28, 2017, law enforcement executed search warrants at several locations associated with the conspiracy. During the execution of the search warrants, officers seized over 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine, as well as heroin, fentanyl, and over $29,000 in cash. The methamphetamine was later laboratory tested and confirmed to be 94% pure. Cheyenne Fragale additionally admitted that the cash was proceeds from drug dealing. As part of their plea agreements, Cheyenne and Macon Fragale both admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment.

Cheyenne and Macon Fragale each face at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2018.

This prosecution was made possible through the cooperative efforts of several investigating agencies. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service provided assistance throughout the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to a year and a day in federal prison for a gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Leon Mitchell, III, 25, previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

In the early morning hours of March 8, 2016, a Charleston Police Department officer was patrolling in the area of Park Avenue and Simms Street in Charleston when he encountered Mitchell. The officer asked Mitchell if he had any weapons, and he replied that he did not. Shortly after this conversation, an unidentified woman ran screaming behind the officer. As the officer turned away to check on the sudden commotion, he heard the sound of metal hitting the ground. The officer looked back to the area where Mitchell was standing and saw what was later identified as a Sig Sauer, Model P220, .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun with the serial number scratched off. When the officer asked what was lying on the ground, Mitchell said it was his gun. In a search of Mitchell incident to arrest, the officer recovered approximately eight grams of marijuana and half a gram of heroin.

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Webster County man who was part of a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Quinton Funk, 38, of Webster Springs, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

Funk took part in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy that transported significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta and sold it in West Virginia. Funk admitted that on January 4, 2017, he traveled to Atlanta with codefendants Jamie Harmon and Carl “Yogi” Clark to obtain over 500 grams of methamphetamine. He further admitted to bringing the drugs back to West Virginia and selling that methamphetamine. Later that month, Funk was arrested with approximately $28,000 in cash in his backpack, and a loaded Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol in his possession. That same day, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team executed a search warrant at a hotel room where Funk was staying and found over 130 grams of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, and a gun. In February 2017, law enforcement arrested him again after he provided Christopher Carte, another codefendant, an ounce of methamphetamine to distribute. Officers recovered another $2,700 in cash from Funk when he was arrested. As part of his plea agreement, Funk also admitted to all the drug and gun crimes he was charged with in the indictment.

Funk faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 1, 2018.

Two defendants involved in this methamphetamine conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison. Christopher Carte, of St. Albans, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Holly Doub, of South Charleston, was sentenced to five days in federal prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

Clark and Harmon both pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and each faces up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on December 18, 2017. Clark and Harmon have admitted they possessed approximately four kilograms of methamphetamine during the course of the conspiracy.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Haley Bunn and Eric P. Bacaj are responsible for the prosecutions. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin is presiding over the case.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Bluefield man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Cory Lee Callen, 27, entered his guilt plea to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In late March 2017, Callen’s former fiancé obtained a domestic violence protective order against him. On March 29, 2017, officers with the Bluefield Police Department escorted her to the Washington Street apartment in Bluefield that she formerly shared with Callen to collect her personal belongings. While there, officers located three loaded firearms in a safe in Callen’s bedroom, along with a variety of ammunition. The guns law enforcement discovered were a CBC, Mossberg International, Model 715T, .22 caliber rifle, a Marlin, Model 782, .22 caliber rifle, and a Zijang, Model Catamount Fury, 12 gauge shotgun. Callen was prohibited from possessing any firearms under federal law because of two felony convictions in 2012 in Mercer County Circuit Court, one for first degree robbery and one for wanton endangerment.

Callen faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018.

The Bluefield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey is handling the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal heroin crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Christopher Rush, 32, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin.

Rush admitted that on May 10, 2017, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deal took place in Charleston. He also admitted that he sold heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine to the same confidential informant on three other occasions. Officers executed a search warrant at Rush’s residence in Charleston on May 31, 2017, and found in excess of 100 grams of methamphetamine. Rush additionally took responsibility for all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment.         

Rush faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 14, 2018.

The case against Rush was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorneys Haley Bunn and Timothy D. Boggess are in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

This prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman who sold heroin while on federal supervised release pleaded guilty today to a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Christy Stevens, 38, entered her guilty plea to distribution of heroin.

Stevens admitted that on June 7, 2017, she sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deal took place at the Elm Street residence of Stevens in Charleston. Additionally, Stevens admitted to all of the charged drug trafficking activity. At the time of the drug deal, Stevens was serving a term of federal supervised release for a prior federal felony drug conviction.

Stevens faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the heroin charge when she is sentenced on March 3, 2018. Stevens also faces up to two years in prison for violating her federal supervised release. The sentences will be served consecutively.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the plea hearing.

This prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County man who possessed a sawed-off shotgun in October 2016 was sentenced today to two years and three months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Brian Kevin Sigmon, II, 34, of Henlawson, previously pled guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm.

On October 22, 2016, Sigmon possessed a shotgun that had been sawed-off, with a barrel length of less than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches. The sawed-off shotgun Sigmon possessed was not registered on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by federal law.  

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Mason County man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Conrad D. Berkley, II, 37, of Gallipolis Ferry, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On April 3, 2017, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to Drew’s Jewelry, Gun and Pawn in Gallipolis Ferry to determine if anyone had recently sold an AK-47 rifle to the store. Agents discovered that Berkley had sold a Century Arms, model RAS 47 to the store on March 27, 2017. Berkley was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2007 conviction in Cabell County Circuit Court for unlawful wounding. 

Berkley faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 26, 2018.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who was part of a group selling heroin in Huntington in 2015 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Marquis Tamal Quinton Evans, 24, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Between July and October of 2015, Evans and others distributed heroin that was transported from Michigan to the Huntington area. On October 5, 2015, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted a search at 1826 Old 16th Street Road in Huntington. Agents located Evans inside the residence, as well as two other individuals. During the search, agents seized approximately 284 grams of heroin and over $51,000 in cash. Evans admitted that he and the other individuals intended to sell the heroin. Evans additionally admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment.

Evans faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 26, 2018.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. 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 an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man was sentenced today to four years and nine months in federal prison for a gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Markus Davis, 40, previously pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On February 22, 2017, officers with the Charleston Police Department pulled Davis over on Virginia Street in Charleston for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, officers found a stolen, loaded Taurus handgun in his pants. Davis was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of previous felony convictions. Additionally, this is the second federal gun conviction for Davis. He was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2011 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. He was also convicted of first degree robbery in 2004 in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Haley Bunn and Matt Davis handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Nathaniel Pittman, 27, entered his guilty plea to a single-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

On July 7, 2016, members of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of Pittman’s vehicle and discovered heroin and cocaine. Pittman admitted that he possessed the drugs found in his vehicle, and that he intended to sell the drugs. Lab testing confirmed that the drugs law enforcement recovered were over 80 grams of heroin and over 90 grams of cocaine.

Pittman faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 13, 2018.

The investigation was conducted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the plea hearing.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A South Charleston woman was sentenced today to five days in federal prison for a methamphetamine crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Holly Doub, 34, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

Doub was part of a methamphetamine trafficking organization that involved several other defendants, including Carl “Yogi” Clark and Jamie Harmon. Clark and Harmon admitted that in January 2017, along with other individuals, they brought approximately four kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta to Charleston. On January 12, 2017, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team executed a search warrant at a hotel room and found over 130 grams of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, and a gun. The methamphetamine was part of the approximately four kilograms Clark, Harmon, and others brought back from Atlanta, and it was lab-tested and confirmed to be over 90% pure. Harmon and Clark also admitted to distributing additional methamphetamine to confidential informants during controlled buys in March 2017. Doub admitted that she helped Clark during one of those buys on March 13, 2017, by handing the confidential informant methamphetamine. As part of their plea agreements, the defendants also admitted to the other drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment.  

Clark and Harmon both pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and each faces up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on December 18, 2017.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Haley Bunn and Eric P. Bacaj are responsible for the prosecutions. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charleston indicted four defendants from McDowell County on Wednesday for federal insurance fraud crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Windel Lester, 66, James Edward Lester, 47, Gregory A. Lester, 40, and Georgetta Lester, 41, all of Iaeger, were charged with federal crimes including conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and mail fraud. A copy of the indictment is attached.

The indictment alleges that between April of 2012 and April of 2014, the Lesters and others devised a scheme to defraud an insurance company by buying vacant properties, insuring the properties, setting fires to the properties in order to makes insurance claims, submitting false insurance claims, and receiving over $550,000 in insurance payments made on the false insurance claims. The properties involved in the alleged fraud were a residence at 101 Smokeless Road in Matoaka, Mercer County, and 3542 Norwood Road in Huntington, Cabell County. The indictment also alleges that after the Lesters received the insurance money, they laundered the money through at least two banks in southern West Virginia. Windel Lester was a member of the Board of Directors of one of the banks.  

If convicted, the Lesters face up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering, and up to 10 years for money laundering. The fraud charges are punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Conspiracy to commit arson carries a penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The use of fire to commit a felony carries a sentence of up to 10 years, or, in Windel Lester and James Lester’s cases, a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for a second offense.

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

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Charlotte drug dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal hydromorphone crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Timothy Fields, 39, entered his guilty plea to distribution of hydromorphone.

Fields admitted that on January 18, 2017, he sold hydromorphone to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place in Bluefield. Fields further admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment, including that he sold hydromorphone on two other occasions, that he sold crack on two occasions, and that he manufactured crack.

Fields faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 20, 2018.

The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John L. File is responsible for the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing.

This case is being prosecuted under the Bluefield Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg woman who was caught with heroin and methamphetamine in January 2017 was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Megan Kerns, 29, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

On January 12, 2017, agents with the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force arrested Kerns in Parkersburg. In a search incident to arrest, agents discovered in her possession approximately 30 grams of heroin, 50 grams of methamphetamine, and a Taurus .380 caliber pistol. She also had in her possession a box of sandwich bags, a set of digital scales, and two cell phones. Kerns further admitted to all the drug trafficking activity charged in the indictment, including that she distributed heroin and methamphetamine in Parkersburg during the months of March 2016 and January 2017.

The Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Chicago man pleaded guilty today for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Richard Fleming entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the attempted distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

Fleming admitted that he traveled to Putnam County on March 12, 2010, to pick up approximately $600,000 of drug proceeds from a March 5, 2010, shipment of over 300 kilograms of marijuana on behalf of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Arizona and Mexico. Unbeknownst to Fleming and the drug trafficking organization, law enforcement intercepted the marijuana before it could be delivered. When Fleming arrived in Putnam County to pick up the cash, he actually met with an undercover officer who provided him with a duffel bag he represented contained approximately $600,000 in drug proceeds. Fleming then left the area and began travelling back to his destination to provide the money to other members of the drug trafficking organization. A traffic stop was conducted on Fleming’s vehicle in Kentucky and the duffel bag was recovered.

Fleming was originally charged in July 2010 and released on bond. On September 7, 2011, he failed to appear for his trial and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Fleming remained a fugitive until he was arrested in Mexico in August 2017. He admitted during his plea hearing that he fled the United States to avoid prosecution in this case.

Fleming faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 12, 2018.

A total of 15 other individuals were successfully prosecuted as a result of this investigation. Additionally, law enforcement seized over a million dollars in drug proceeds and an airplane belonging to this drug trafficking organization.

This prosecution was made possible through the cooperative efforts of several investigating agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio, the United States Marshals Service, the Kentucky State Police, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington Police Department, and the Policia Federal Ministerial of Mexico. Additionally, several Drug Enforcement Administration agents investigated this case, including agents from Charleston, Columbus, Phoenix, Tucson, Chicago, Denver, and Hermosillo, Mexico.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over today’s plea hearing.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Wood County man who stole mail in November 2016 pleaded guilty today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Richard Thomas Morris, Jr., 38, of Washington, entered his guilty plea to possession of stolen mail.

Morris was a relief driver for a United States Postal Service contractor whose job it was to collect outgoing mail from post offices along a rural route between Ravenswood and Parkersburg. On November 17, 2016, Morris was stopped at the Belleville Post Office by law enforcement officials with the United States Postal Inspection Service. Morris consented to a search of the truck he was driving, and the search turned up a piece of mail addressed to a home in St. Mary’s. The mail had been opened and contained a greeting card. Morris had stolen the greeting card, as well as $50.00 in cash that had been put inside the card by the sender.

Morris faces up to five years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced on January 22, 2018.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Eumi L. Choi and R. Gregory McVey are handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Princeton heroin dealer was sentenced today to four years and nine months in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Terrance Raheem Simmons, 41, previously pleaded guilty plea to distribution of heroin.

Simmons admitted that on April 20, 2017, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place in Princeton.

The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney John L. File is responsible for the prosecution. Senior United States District David A. Faber imposed the sentence.

This prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two defendants were sentenced to federal prison today on gun charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Edward William Blake, Jr., 52, of Belle in Kanawha County, was sentenced to a year and nine months in federal prison, having previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. In a separate prosecution, Carlos Lamont Gray, 26, of Detroit, was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Blake admitted that on April 18, 2016, officers responded to a domestic violence call at his residence in Belle. The encounter resulted in Blake’s arrest and in his wife being taken to the hospital. When officers returned later that evening with his wife, she informed them that Blake had a gun in the home that he had hidden prior to their arrival earlier in the day. The wife took the officers into the master bedroom and opened a drawer in a small nightstand beside the bed where officers located a Bryco Arms 9mm pistol. Blake was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of two prior misdemeanor domestic battery convictions in Nicholas County Magistrate Court.

In a separate prosecution, Gray admitted that on February 20, 2017, he and another individual traded a Ruger .223 caliber rifle for a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun at Bridgeport Equipment in Charleston. Gray also admitted that on March 9, 2017, he was pulled over on Nancy Street in Charleston and officers found the loaded Smith & Wesson handgun on his person. Gray was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of felony convictions in 2012 in Wayne County, Michigan, for receiving or concealing a stolen vehicle and fleeing a police officer.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Blake. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of Blake’s prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

The investigation of Gray was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of Gray’s prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who received a shipment of heroin in the mail in December 2016 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. David Lee Zirkle, 36, entered his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute heroin.

On December 9, 2016, officers were notified that a package suspected of containing controlled substances was scheduled for delivery to a residence at 2422 Collis Avenue in Huntington. A West Virginia State Police K-9 officer gave a positive indication that the package contained drugs, and a search warrant was obtained for the package. Law enforcement found approximately 30 grams of heroin inside the package. Investigators then removed the heroin, replaced it with a representative quantity of heroin, and then conducted a delivery of the package utilizing an undercover postal inspector. Zirkle accepted delivery and took possession of the package at the Collis Avenue address. A search warrant was then executed at that residence, and upon entry, officers located Zirkle with the envelope containing the sample of drugs in his hand. Officers also discovered digital scales and cash in the residence. 

Zirkle faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 5, 2018.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Ona Division, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cross Lanes man was sentenced today to three and a half years in federal prison for a gun charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Tristen Paxton, 21, previously pleaded guilty to possessing firearms after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Paxton admitted that on March 27, 2017, during a traffic stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Patrol (STOP) Team of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, he possessed two firearms in the vehicle. Law enforcement recovered a loaded Taurus Judge .45 caliber/410 gauge handgun from the passenger seat and a Poly Technologies AK-47 rifle with a loaded high capacity magazine in the trunk. As part of his plea agreement, Paxton also admitted that he was responsible for selling two other firearms and methamphetamine.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department’s STOP Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Carol Casto will honor more than 60 law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and community leaders during the 2017 U.S. Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at noon at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston.

During the ceremony, U.S. Attorney Casto will present awards for outstanding law enforcement work on major cases involving drug crime, violent crime, white collar crime and child exploitation. Other awards include Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, Distinguished Law Enforcement and Community Service, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Crime Victim Service Award, Allied Professional Award, Federal Service Awards, Volunteer for Victims Award, and the Special Courage Award.

The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, recognizes exemplary service of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, as well as victim advocates, criminal justice professionals, and others who have made significant contributions on behalf of the criminal justice system.

WHO:             United States Attorney Carol Casto, joined by representatives from the law enforcement community, crime victim advocates, and others

WHAT:          2017 U.S. Attorney’s Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards Ceremony

WHEN:          Thursday, October 26, 2017, at noon  

WHERE:       Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse – Fifth Floor
300 Virginia Street, East
Charleston, WV  25301

*Please be advised that cameras and other recording devices will be permitted on the fifth floor of the Courthouse for the ceremony only.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two Beckley felons pleaded guilty today to federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Ryan Henry Guerrant, 26, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a separate prosecution, Clennel Pierre Cobb, 45, also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On August 10, 2017, an officer with the Beckley Police Department conducted a traffic stop in Beckley. Guerrant, a passenger in the back seat, informed the officer that he had an Omega, Model 100, .22 caliber revolver at his feet. Guerrant later admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the gun, and that he knew he was not supposed to possess the gun because he was a convicted felon. Guerrant was prohibited from possessing any firearm because of felony convictions in Raleigh County Circuit Court for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in 2013 and escape and attempted robbery in 2010. 

In a separate prosecution, Cobb admitted that on August 12, 2016, he possessed a High Point, Model C9, 9mm pistol. Cobb was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of multiple felony convictions, including drug convictions in 2006 and 2017 in Raleigh County Circuit Court.

Guerrant and Cobb each face up to 10 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on February 7, 2018.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beckley Police Department conducted the investigations. The plea hearings were held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Michigan man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. William Henry Stephens, Jr., 45, of Inkster, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. 

On June 29, 2017, members of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 702 Washington Avenue in Huntington. Prior to the search, investigators conducting surveillance observed Stephens coming and going from the residence and conducting what appeared to be drug transactions. During the search, investigators seized approximately 140 grams of heroin, 44 grams of crack, and a Chinese SKS 7.62mm assault rifle with ammunition. Stephens admitted that he possessed the heroin and crack for distribution. Stephens also admitted that he possessed drugs and firearms seized by investigators during a separate search warrant previously executed on December 15, 2016. On that date, investigators searched 322 West 5th Avenue in Huntington and seized approximately 342 grams of heroin, 69 grams of cocaine, 109 30mg oxycodone pills and multiple firearms. As part of his plea agreement, Stephens admitted to all the drug trafficking and firearms activity charged in the indictment.

Stephens faces at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 22, 2018.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. 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 was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two inmates who possessed weapons at the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell were sentenced to prison today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Antonio Freeman, 30, was sentenced to a year and a month in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate. In a separate prosecution, Robert Aguon, 42, was also sentenced to a year and a month in federal prison after pleaded guilty to the same crime. The new sentences will be served consecutively to the sentences these inmates are currently serving.

Freeman admitted that on August 25, 2016, he ran away from staff members of the prison and threw an object on the roof of a building. A staff member retrieved the object and found that it was a piece of wood over five inches long that was sharpened to a point. There was tape on the other end of the object to serve as a handle and a cord attached as a lanyard. The object was a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank.”

In a separate prosecution, Aguon admitted that on February 24, 2017, during a search, a staff member of the prison discovered an object inside the seam of Aguon’s pants. The object was a “shank,” and was made from a piece of metal, approximately six inches in length, sharpened to a point on one end with duct tape around the opposite end to form a handle.

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

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