Southern District of West Virginia

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Columbus man caught with heroin in Huntington in 2015 was sentenced today to eight months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Tyshawn Desmeon Davis, 28, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On June 29, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant at 1751 Buffington Avenue in Huntington after a confidential informant purchased heroin at the residence. Agents located Davis in the residence during the search and found him in possession of approximately 18 grams of heroin. Davis admitted to agents that he had been involved with other individuals in distributing heroin from the residence.  

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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 Mexican national pleaded guilty today to an immigration crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Adan Zamudio-Escalante, also known as Victor Giron, 39, entered his guilty plea to illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed from the United States on two different occasions. 

Zamudio-Escalante admitted that he had twice been convicted of the federal crime of illegally reentering the United States. The first conviction occurred on April 1, 2005, in Texas. After that conviction, Zamudio-Escalante was removed from the United States to his home country of Mexico. Zamudio-Escalante then illegally reentered the United States. He was convicted for a second time of illegally reentering the United States on January 6, 2010, in West Virginia, and was again removed from the United States. Zamudio-Escalante was subsequently found in Charleston by Department of Homeland Security agents on September 20, 2016, having illegally reentered the United States for a third time.

Zamudio-Escalante faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 13, 2017. He is also subject to removal proceedings at the conclusion of the case.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man was sentenced to prison today for federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Austin Russell Ash, 21, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Ash was also sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. The sentences will be served concurrently.

As part of an investigation in June 2015, the Parkersburg Police Department conducted a search at the house where Austin Ash resided on Laird Avenue in Parkersburg. During the search, law enforcement discovered a CBC, 715T model, .22 caliber rifle with an obliterated serial number in Ash’s bedroom. Ash admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the gun and that he had removed the serial number. He further admitted to law enforcement that at the time he possessed the gun he was a user of marijuana.

The Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. 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 working with existing local programs that target gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A South Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Mark Bays, 53, entered his guilty plea to maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine. 

Bays admitted that from late 2013 through at least March 2014, that he, along with codefendant Joseph Cooper and other individuals, received methamphetamine from California, which they stored and distributed from Bays’ residence in Charleston. During that time period, Bays allowed Cooper to live in the residence part-time while they worked together to distribute methamphetamine.

Bays faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 21, 2017.

Cooper previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 19, 2017. Benjamin Childers, another individual implicated in this investigation, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on January 4, 2017. Also as a result of this investigation, four other codefendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Morgan Light, Mark Cobb, Harold Lee Parsons, and Shayne Shamblen each face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced in February 2017.

The investigation of these cases was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is responsible for these prosecutions. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., is presiding over these cases.

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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman caught with heroin was sentenced today to six years and eight months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Misty Renee Wentz, 38, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On September 1, 2015, Wentz was approached and interviewed by Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Huntington. Wentz admitted to the agents that she was concealing heroin on her person. Wentz then provided the heroin to agents and admitted that she possessed the heroin for purposes of distribution. Wentz further admitted that she had conspired with multiple individuals over the previous year to distribute up to three kilograms of heroin that was transported to the Huntington area from Detroit. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man who participated in a multistate drug ring was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Matthew Michael Meadows, 31, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

From the summer of 2014 to March 2016, Meadows conspired with codefendant Corey Bruce Toney and other individuals to distribute heroin in the Huntington and Charleston areas. Meadows frequently met with Toney at various locations in Huntington and received quantities of heroin ranging from five grams to an ounce. Meadows would subsequently distribute the heroin in the Charleston area and then return the proceeds back to Toney. 

Toney pleaded guilty in September 2016 to distributing heroin. Toney admitted that he conspired with others to distribute large quantities of drugs that were transported from California and Michigan to Huntington, including heroin, crack, marijuana, and Xanax.

This prosecution arose out of a long-term investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Huntington Police Department, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

Nine additional defendants have been convicted for their roles in this drug ring. In addition to Toney, Atari Seantay Brown, Parker Wyatt Mays, Sean Lee Braggs, Samuel E. Nelson, III, Tanisha Lynette Wooding, Deandra Sheen Jones, and Roy Bills have all pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. Arthur James Canada was previously sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences and is presiding over these cases. 

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 pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. William Cody McClung, 31, entered his guilty plea to illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

McClung admitted that on December 6, 2015, he shot at another man as he drove past him on Falcon Drive in Charleston. Officers subsequently executed a search warrant at McClung’s residence and located the 9mm handgun McClung had used to shoot at the victim, as well as three additional firearms. McClung was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2007 felony conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court for operating a clandestine drug laboratory.   

McClung faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 16, 2017.

The investigation 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 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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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has collected $6,668,404.52 in the last year, which represents over $1.1 million more than the office’s annual direct budget, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Of this amount, $1,511,417.96 was collected in criminal actions, $4,591,072.32 was collected in civil actions, and $565,914.24 was collected in asset forfeiture. The U.S. Attorney’s Office collected this amount through the efforts of the attorneys and staff within the office, and also by working with other U.S. Attorneys’ offices, components of the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today that the Justice Department collected nearly $15.4 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2016. The $15,380,130,434 in collections in FY 2016 represents more than five times the appropriated $2.93 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the main litigating divisions of the Justice Department combined in that same period.

“Every day, the men and women of the Department of Justice work tirelessly to enforce our laws, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used properly and that the American people are protected from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Lynch. “Today’s announcement is a testament to that work, and it makes clear that our actions deliver a significant return on public investment. I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this year's collections possible, and I want to emphasize that the department remains committed to the well-being of our people and our nation.”

United States Attorney Carol Casto noted, “The over $6 million collected by this office more than covers the direct operating budget of the office for the entire fiscal year. The strong collaboration of the attorneys and staff of the civil and criminal divisions with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies makes these significant collections possible. Though our top priority is always ensuring the safety of our communities, we also work together with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers responsible for the financial losses associated with their offenses.”

A substantial amount of the collection total came from the prosecution of Freedom Industries and six defendants associated with Freedom for the 2014 chemical spill that left hundreds of thousands of people in the Kanawha Valley without water for several days. Freedom paid nearly $600,000 to resolve its federal bankruptcy case. Additionally, the individuals prosecuted, including two former presidents of Freedom, have paid over $86,000 in fines as part of their sentences. Another corporate officer held accountable for criminal activity was former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. Never before in U.S. history had the CEO of a publicly traded company been convicted of a workplace safety crime. His trial ended with a jury finding him guilty, and in April 2016, as part of his sentence, Blankenship was ordered to spend one year in federal prison and to pay a $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

In addition to the civil and criminal collections, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $565,914.24 in asset forfeiture actions in fiscal year 2016. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. This brings the total amount collected by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in fiscal year 2016 to $6,668,404.52. The fiscal year began on October 1, 2015, and ended on September 30, 2016.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Poca man caught with a loaded gun and drugs after a car chase was sentenced today to seven years and three months in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Steven Eugene Adkins, 37, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Adkins admitted that on January 14, 2016, he possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson Model 22A-1 pistol. Adkins was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearm because of two previous convictions in Kanawha County Circuit Court for possession with intent to deliver marijuana. At the time Adkins possessed the handgun, Adkins additionally admitted that he ran a red light in St. Albans. In response, a St. Albans Police Department patrol officer attempted a traffic stop. Adkins further admitted that he did not attempt to stop, and during the course of the subsequent chase, he exceeded the speed limit, passed vehicles despite the double yellow line, and drove the wrong way on a one-way street. The car chase ended in Nitro and Adkins admitted that he exited the vehicle and was apprehended after a brief foot chase. Law enforcement recovered the gun and methamphetamine from Adkins. Officers also seized 40 knives and a machete from the vehicle.

The investigation was conducted by the St. Albans Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the West Virginia State Police and the South Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. 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. This case was also prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat illegal drugs in our communities, 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 illegal 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 Nitro woman was sentenced today to eight months for failing to report to serve her prison sentence, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Kelli Engler, also known as Kelli Reed and Kelli Reed-Engler, 39, previously pleaded guilty to the federal crime. 

Engler admitted that she was ordered by the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia to serve 90 days of incarceration for a violation of her supervised release. Engler was ordered to report to prison by March 25, 2016, and was permitted by the Court to voluntarily self-report. She did not report to prison as required, and on June 28, 2016, law enforcement apprehended her in Tennessee. 

Engler was on supervised release as part of her sentence for a 2011 federal conviction for access device fraud. The violations of her supervised release included not paying restitution and not reporting to the United States Probation Office as required.

The United States Marshals Service and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee conducted the apprehension and investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man who violated his federal supervised release by selling crack was sentenced to prison today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Terrance Wilson, 27, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of crack. In today’s hearing, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison for that offense. He was also sentenced to an additional one and a half years in prison for violating his federal supervised release. The sentences will be served consecutively.

Wilson admitted that on January 25, 2016, he sold crack to a confidential informant working with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place at a local business on Bigley Avenue in Charleston. Wilson further admitted that he also sold crack to a confidential informant on January 26 and 27, 2016.  

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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 illegal drugs in our communities. 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 Logan County man pleaded guilty today for his role in a kickback scheme, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Chadwick Lusk, 35, of Davin, entered his guilty plea to honest services mail fraud.

Lusk admitted that while he was employed as a purchasing agent at the Mountain Laurel Mining Complex, he defrauded a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Coal, the Mingo Logan Coal Company, of its right to honest services by receiving illegal cash kickbacks in a crib block kickback scheme. Crib blocks are used to provide roof support in an underground mine. Beginning around September 2009 and continuing until at least March 2014, Gary L. Roeher, who owned CM Supply, Co., paid Lusk a portion of the profits for the crib blocks that the Mingo Logan Coal Company purchased from CM Supply to use at Mountain Laurel. Roeher usually paid Lusk 7.5% of the crib block sales price. Roeher estimates he paid Lusk approximately $230,000 in cash kickbacks as part of the scheme, and Lusk agreed to pay $230,000 in restitution as part of his plea agreement.

Lusk faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 3, 2017.

The FBI, the Criminal Investigation division of the IRS, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to two years and eight months in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Antonio Tarvares Johnson, 39, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Johnson admitted that on September 28, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place at the Motel 6 in Cross Lanes. Johnson additionally admitted that on November 9, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant at America’s Best Value Inn in St. Albans. Following that drug deal, law enforcement arrested Johnson and recovered over $6,000 in cash from his pocket and wallet, which included $100 in prerecorded buy money from the November 9, 2015, controlled purchase. Johnson further admitted that he also sold drugs to a confidential informant on September 29, 2015, and on December 16, 2015.  

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte is responsible for the prosecution. 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 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 members of a family from Indiana pleaded guilty today to an oxycodone conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Steven Jurick, 57, of Valparaiso, and his mother-in-law, Linda Vannatter, 74, of Hammond, entered their guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Jurick and Vannatter admitted to conspiring with each other from approximately January 2016 until April 13, 2016, to provide oxycodone to an individual who distributed the pain pills in Logan County. That individual contacted either Jurick or Vannatter on several occasions and met with either or both of them in Indiana to obtain oxycodone. Vannatter admitted that on March 15, 2016, she sold 231 thirty milligram and 17 twenty milligram oxycodone pills to that individual, who on that occasion was acting as a confidential informant. Jurick admitted that on April 13, 2016, he sold 150 thirty milligram oxycodone pills to that individual, who on that occasion was again acting as a confidential informant. The drug deals both took place in Indiana.

Jurick and Vannatter each face up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on March 15, 2017.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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 Mexican national heavily involved in a California-to-West Virginia drug conspiracy was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Daniel Ortiz-Rivera, 24, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Ortiz-Rivera admitted that from January 2015 to June 2015, he was involved in a drug conspiracy with multiple individuals that included the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine. He admitted that in January 2015, he conspired to have methamphetamine delivered from California to West Virginia and supplied drugs to individuals in West Virginia. Ortiz-Rivera additionally admitted that he had methamphetamine delivered to him in West Virginia and traveled himself to California to pick up methamphetamine. From January 2015 through May 2015, he delivered at least eight pounds of methamphetamine to an individual in West Virginia. He also admitted that on June 5, 2015, he was driving from California to transport methamphetamine to Charleston and was stopped by law enforcement in Kansas. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.

This prosecution is the result of a multi-agency investigation that led to an eight-count indictment implicating several defendants, some of whom have already been sentenced to prison. All of the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Kelly Newcomb, of Nevada, and Danielle Dessaray Estrada, of Los Angeles, were both sentenced to a year and a day in prison for interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime. Marco Antonio Bojorquez-Rojas, a Mexican national residing in California, was sentenced to a year and a half in prison for interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime.

Several of the defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Two other women who were used as mules to transport methamphetamine, Rachel Arlene Garay, of California, and Monasmith, of Nevada, pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime. Additionally, as part of this conspiracy, Rafael Garcia Serrato, of Los Angeles, Cesar Garcia, also of Los Angeles, Velarian Sylvester Carter, of Beckley, Miguel Tafolla-Montoya, a Mexican national, and Brian Ashby, of Kanawha County, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of these prosecutions. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., is presiding over these cases and imposed the sentences.

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 Mexican national was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison for his role in a California-to-West Virginia methamphetamine conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Marco Antonio Bojorquez-Rojas, 21, a Mexican national residing in California, previously pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime.

Bojorquez-Rojas admitted that in January 2016, he traveled with some of his codefendants to Charleston from California to collect money for methamphetamine that had been delivered to West Virginia. On January 11, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a hotel room where Bojorquez-Rojas and some of his codefendants, including Rafael Garcia Serrato and Cesar Garcia, were staying and recovered a bag containing $12,000 cash. Bojorquez-Rojas also admitted that this cash was payment for a portion of the methamphetamine that had been delivered to West Virginia. Bojorquez-Rojas additionally admitted that in March 2016, he traveled from California to Huntington to collect money for methamphetamine that had been driven to Huntington by codefendants Kelly Newcomb and Cara Linn Monasmith. Shortly after the arrival of Bojorquez-Rojas in Huntington on March 19, 2016, law enforcement arrested him and three of his codefendants in a Huntington hotel room.

This prosecution is the result of a multi-agency investigation that led to an eight-count indictment implicating several defendants, some of whom have already been sentenced to prison. All of the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Newcomb, of Nevada, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime. Danielle Dessaray Estrada, of Los Angeles, was also sentenced to a year and a day in prison for interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime.

Several of the defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Two other women who were used as mules to transport methamphetamine, Rachel Arlene Garay, of California, and Monasmith, of Nevada, pleaded guilty to interstate travel in furtherance of a drug crime. Additionally, as part of this conspiracy, Serrato, of Los Angeles, Garcia, also of Los Angeles, Daniel Ortiz-Rivera, a Mexican national, Velarian Sylvester Carter, of Beckley, Miguel Tafolla-Montoya, a Mexican national, and Brian Ashby, of Kanawha County, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Charleston Police Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of these prosecutions. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., is presiding over these cases and imposed the sentences.

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 California man who traveled to West Virginia to facilitate methamphetamine trafficking was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gary Liberty, 52, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Liberty admitted that in January 2012, he made arrangements with a confidential informant working with law enforcement to ship crystal methamphetamine from California to West Virginia. On January 5, 2012, Liberty traveled from California to West Virginia by airplane. The next day, Liberty provided the confidential informant with a U.S. Postal Service tracking number for a package containing crystal methamphetamine that Liberty had arranged to be sent from California to the informant’s residence in Sissonville. On January 7, 2012, officers intercepted the package and seized over 80 grams of methamphetamine. Officers then conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the confidential informant’s residence with a fake substance in the package. After the informant took delivery of the package, officers entered the informant’s home and found Liberty standing over the package with the package open and several items from inside the package on the table. Liberty then gave a statement to law enforcement and admitted his involvement with methamphetamine trafficking.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston 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 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 Cross Lanes man was sentenced today to a total of 10 years in federal prison for carjacking and a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. David Allen Young, 24, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Young was sentenced to 10 years on each count and the sentences will be served concurrently.

Young admitted that from summer 2014 through January 2016, he was part of a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking network. During that time period, he received at least 40 pounds of crystal methamphetamine from his sources and distributed it to individuals in and around Kanawha County.

Young further admitted that on January 24, 2016, he stole a Ford Expedition in Putnam County and fired a shot at an occupied vehicle in St. Albans. Later that same day, Young approached a Ford Edge SUV on foot near the intersection of Big Tyler Road and Waycross Drive in Cross Lanes. Young pointed a 9 mm handgun at a man occupying the SUV and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. The man complied and Young got into the Ford Edge and drove away. Young drove until he approached a Chevrolet S-10 truck in Cross Lanes occupied by another man and his juvenile son. Young pointed the same handgun at those individuals and ordered them out of the truck. Young then got into the truck and drove to the Dalewood Trailer Park in Cross Lanes. He shot through the glass door of a residence in the trailer park and stole a television, which he intended to trade for drugs. Young was arrested on January 26, 2016.

The investigation into the drug conspiracy was handled by the FBI and the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit. The carjackings were investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of 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 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. 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 existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Huntington dealers were sentenced today to federal prison for drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Jerrell Leon Johnson, 53, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack. In a separate prosecution, Ashley Nicole Farley, 25, was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On January 20, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a search of Johnson’s residence located at 709 Rear 9th Avenue in Huntington. During that search, agents located approximately 48 grams of crack inside a kitchen drawer. Johnson admitted that he intended to sell the crack seized by law enforcement.   

In a separate drug prosecution, on August 27, 2015, Farley was arrested on a warrant for distribution of heroin. In a search of Farley incident to her arrest, officers located a gray tan powder and cash. The cash contained marked currency from a previous undercover heroin buy from Farley.  

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation of Jerrell Johnson. The investigation of Farley was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

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 heroin and 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. – A former employee of the Charleston Marriott Town Center who defrauded the hotel out of close to a million dollars was sentenced today to two and a half years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Mark Kuhn, 53, of Milton in Cabell County, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his embezzlement from the hotel. He was also ordered to pay $955,317.17 in restitution.

Kuhn worked for the Marriott as an accountant and general cashier. His duties included collecting cash from the various departments of the hotel, including the gift shop, the front desk, and the restaurant and bar. Kuhn admitted that beginning in November 2005 and continuing through February 2016, he embezzled over $955,000 from the hotel. He covered up his embezzlement by regularly posting false entries in the hotel’s accounting system to make it appear as if the hotel had paid out cash for various goods or services. Typically, the false entries reflected fictitious payments for commissions or fees owed to a travel agency or online travel company. The false entries for any particular day would match the amount of cash that Kuhn had embezzled from the cash receipts for that day.

Over the course of his fraudulent scheme, Kuhn used the embezzled funds for personal expenses. He admitted that he took vacations to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Myrtle Beach, and Disney World. He also admitted that he went on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. He additionally admitted to using the money to buy cars, a truck, and a recreational vehicle. Furthermore, he admitted that he used the embezzled funds to make payments on Chase MasterCard accounts, Sears credit card accounts, and a revolving credit account at Home Depot.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Philip H. Wright is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar man was sentenced today to a year and a half in federal prison for a heroin crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Christian Bowles, 25, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Bowles admitted that on March 24, 2015, he sold over four grams of heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement in exchange for $1,000. Bowles made the drug deal outside of his Dunbar residence. He further admitted that he was involved in the distribution of up to 20 grams of heroin.

The Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., 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 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 pleaded guilty today to obtaining oxycodone and Xanax by fraud, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Greer Elizabeth Ramsey, 32, entered her guilty plea to obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge. 

Ramsey admitted that on April 14, 2015, she obtained oxycodone and Xanax by presenting a prescription that she knew to be fraudulent to the Kroger pharmacy in Dunbar. Ramsey further admitted that she knew the prescription was not valid because she had never been a patient of the doctor whose name was on the preprinted prescription pad.    

Ramsey faces up to four years in federal prison when she is sentenced on March 9, 2017.

The Dunbar Police Department, the South Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted 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 Thomas E. Johnston.

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 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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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two inmates were sentenced today for crimes they committed while serving time in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Larry Antoine Smith, 49, who possessed a weapon at the Federal Correctional Institution at Beckley, was sentenced today to a year and nine months in federal prison, to be served consecutively to his current sentence for violating his federal supervised release. He previously pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate of the institution. Smith admitted that on September 28, 2015, he possessed a combination lock attached to a belt. The weapon was discovered when a prison staff member observed Smith swinging the belt. Smith further admitted that he attached the lock to the belt with the intention of using it as a weapon.

In a separate prosecution, Christina Kimble, 33, who escaped from the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson, was sentenced today to a year in prison, to be served consecutively to her current sentence for a federal drug charge. She previously pleaded guilty to escape, admitting that on November 17, 2015, she left the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson without authorization. Kimble was apprehended several hours later by the Alderson Police Department.

The Smith case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Alderson Police Department conducted the investigation of Kimble. Assistant United States Attorney John File is in charge of the prosecutions. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane man was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for a methamphetamine crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Shawn Keathley, 26, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

Keathley admitted that on March 20, 2014, he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deal took place in the parking lot of a restaurant in Cross Lanes. Keathley further admitted to having distributed methamphetamine for approximately five months in the Kanawha County area.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is responsible for the prosecution. 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 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 St. Albans man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Kenneth Dale White, Jr., 31, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge. 

White admitted that prior to April 2015, he came into possession of a pre-printed prescription pad belonging to a local doctor.  Between April 12, 2015, and May 7, 2015, White and a codefendant recruited other individuals to fraudulently obtain pain pills. The recruited individuals were directed by White or the codefendant to go to pharmacies in the Kanawha County area to obtain oxycodone and Xanax by presenting fraudulent and forged prescriptions to the pharmacies. The recruited individuals would be paid cash to fill the fraudulent prescription or be allowed to keep a small amount of the pain pills fraudulently obtained. The remaining pills were returned to White or the codefendant.     

White faces up to four years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 6, 2017.

The case against White was investigated by the Dunbar Police Department, the South Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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 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.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man pled guilty today in the United States District Court in Huntington to a federal firearm charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.  Stephen W. Whitt, age 30, of Scottown, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On June 21, 2014, Whitt pawned a Marlin Model 60, .22 caliber rifle at Tri-State Pawn and Jewelry, located on 29th Street in Huntington in exchange for 50.00.  On June 22 and June 30, 2014, Whitt also pawned three other rifles at Tri-State Pawn and Jewelry – a Marlin Model .30-30 rifle, a Glenfield Model 60 .22 rifle, and an Old Colony single shot 12-gauge shotgun.

Prior to pawning the firearms, Whitt had been convicted of two counts of entering without breaking in the Circuit Court of Cabell County and was prohibited from possessing firearms. United States District Court Chief Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.  Whitt faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on March 13, 2017. 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Four additional defendants who participated in a multistate drug ring pleaded guilty today to various federal drug charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.  Atari Seantay Brown, 39, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin.  Sean Lee Braggs, 26, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Deandra Sheen Jones, 41, entered her guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack.  Samuel E. Nelson, III, 37, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

From the summer of 2014 to May 2016, Brown helped lead a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of drugs in the Huntington area, including heroin and crack.  During the conspiracy, Brown arranged for the transportation of large quantities heroin and cocaine from Michigan to the Huntington area.  Agents were able to make numerous controlled purchases of heroin from Brown and others during the investigation.  Brown admitted at his hearing that, on September 2, 2016, a confidential informant working at the direction of the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted him to arrange for the purchase of heroin.  Brown met with the informant at an apartment located at 333 14th Street in Huntington which the group used to store and distribute drugs.  Inside the apartment, Brown sold approximately 10 grams of heroin to the informant in exchange for $1,200.  Brown also admitted that he possessed firearms during the conspiracy, that he maintained the 14th Street apartment to distribute drugs, and that he served as a leader of the conspiracy.

Braggs admitted that he assisted Brown and others by conducting distributions of heroin in the Huntington area, by transporting drugs from Michigan to Huntington, and by transporting money from Huntington to Michigan.  On April 18, 2016, Braggs was traveling from Huntington to Michigan when his vehicle broke down in Ohio.  Brown arranged for a tow truck to tow the vehicle to Michigan.  Agents surveilling Brown and Braggs contacted members of the Ohio Highway Patrol and a trooper subsequently conducted a traffic stop of the tow truck in northern Ohio.  Agents discovered that Braggs’ vehicle contained a hidden compartment behind the rear seat which could be accessed through electronic controls.  Agents discovered $181,490 in cash concealed in the hidden compartment which Braggs admitted constituted proceeds from drug sales in the Huntington area.   

Jones admitted that she assisted Brown by transporting cocaine from Michigan concealed in a rental vehicle.  Jones admitted that she also transported cash from Huntington to Michigan and helped Brown acquire additional quantities of heroin in Michigan.  On March 26, 2016, Jones arranged for Brown to receive approximately 100 grams of heroin which Brown distributed to Nelson.  On April 30, 2016, Jones transported approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine to Huntington at Brown’s direction.  The cocaine was concealed in the spare tire of a rental vehicle Jones was driving and Jones was aware Brown intended to convert the cocaine to crack for distribution.     

Nelson admitted that he acquired large quantities of heroin from Brown which Nelson transported to the Louisville, Kentucky area for distribution.  On April 18, 2016, Nelson traveled from Louisville to acquire heroin from Brown at the 14th Street apartment.  Agents observed Nelson meet with Brown and a trooper with the West Virginia State Police subsequently conducted a traffic stop of Nelson’s vehicle as he traveled on 16th Street Road toward Interstate 64 to return to Louisville.  Agents searched Nelson’s vehicle and discovered approximately 130 grams of heroin concealed in the dashboard of the vehicle. 

On May 18, 2016, after a federal grand jury returned an indictment, agents executed arrest warrants and search warrants at eight residences in Detroit, Michigan, Proctorville, Ohio, and Huntington.  During the searches, agents seized large quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack, and marijuana, an additional $120,531 in cash, and a total of 41 firearms.

All four defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison and are each scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2017.

These prosecutions arose out of a long-term investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Huntington Police Department, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, which resulted in charging 12 defendants for offenses related to the distribution of heroin, crack, marijuana and alprazolam in Huntington. 

Six defendants have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this drug ring. Matthew Michael Meadows, Arthur James Canada, Tanisha Lynette Wooding, Parker Wyatt Mays, Corey Bruce Toney and Roy Bills have all pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecutions. The plea hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. 

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. 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men pleaded guilty today to federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Bobby James Mitchell, 35, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin. In a separate prosecution, Antoine Garfield Rushin, 44, of Detroit, entered his guilty plea to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On March 16, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Mitchell. Mitchell and a confidential informant working with law enforcement met at 1039 Rear Jefferson Avenue in Huntington to complete the drug deal. The confidential informant provided Mitchell with $500 in exchange for approximately 6.1 grams of heroin. Mitchell faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017. 

In a separate prosecution, law enforcement executed a search warrant on June 29, 2015, at 1751 Buffington Avenue in Huntington. Just prior to execution of the warrant, officers observed Rushin enter the residence. During the search, Rushin and other individuals in the residence were arrested and officers seized approximately 65 grams of heroin and digital scales. Rushin admitted that he frequently provided heroin to individuals staying at the residence for those individuals to distribute. Rushin faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 21, 2017.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted the investigation of Mitchell. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the Mitchell prosecution. The investigation of Rushin was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution of Rushin. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearings.

These prosecutions were 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 Kanawha County man who violated his federal supervised release by breaking into a house and stealing a pistol was sentenced to federal prison today, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Travis Lee Hudnall, 32, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. In today’s hearing, he was sentenced to three years and ten months in federal prison for that offense. He was also sentenced to an additional year in prison for violating his federal supervised release. The sentences will be served consecutively.

Hudnall admitted that on June 7, 2016, he broke into a residence in Hansford and stole a computer tablet and a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson Model SW40C pistol. Hudnall additionally admitted that he stole a chainsaw from the surrounding property. As Hudnall was leaving the residence, the homeowner arrived and confronted Hudnall. Following a struggle, the homeowner detained Hudnall on the ground until law enforcement arrived. Hudnall was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearm because of two previous felony convictions, one in Kanawha County Circuit Court for daytime entering without breaking and another in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is responsible for 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. – Two defendants appeared in federal court today for gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Lachance D. Woodson, 28, of Charleston, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a separate prosecution, Denver Clifton Julious, 66, of Hilltop, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Woodson admitted that on December 22, 2015, he possessed a Hi-Point .40 caliber pistol in Charleston. Woodson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2010 conviction in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia for possession of a firearm after a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.

In a separate prosecution, Fayette County Deputy Sheriffs arrested Julious on May 6, 2016, at his home on an outstanding arrest warrant. During a search of Julious incident to the arrest, officers found a Davis Industries .22 caliber revolver in his pocket. Julious was prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms as a result of a 1988 first-degree sexual assault conviction in Fayette County Circuit Court and a 2006 felon in possession of a firearm conviction in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia. Julious faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 9, 2017.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Woodson. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is responsible for Woodson’s prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed Woodson’s sentence.

The investigation of Julious was conducted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution of Julious. The plea hearing for Julious was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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 working with existing local programs that target gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to three years in federal prison for separate charges of escape and possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Brandon Christopher Solomon, 21, originally from Detroit, previously entered his guilty plea to a two-count indictment. 

Solomon admitted that in December 2015, he escaped from a halfway house in St. Albans. Solomon was at the halfway house finishing a sentence for violating his federal supervised release from a prior drug conviction. Solomon’s whereabouts were unknown for several months until April 28, 2016, when officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team located him while executing a search warrant on Daniel Boone Drive in Charleston. Solomon was arrested on the outstanding escape warrant, and when he was searched, officers located six baggies of heroin and cash in his pocket.

The United States Marshals Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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 Charleston methamphetamine dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Keary Drake, 48, entered his guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine.

Drake admitted that on April 28, 2016, he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Patrol (STOP) team of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Drake also admitted that he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two more occasions in June and July of 2016. On July 13, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Drake’s residence on Bakers Fork Road in Charleston and recovered methamphetamine. Drake admitted to law enforcement that he had been dealing methamphetamine for six months and had sold approximately 84 grams. 

Drake faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 23, 2017.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before 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 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 Parkersburg man was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for possessing over 600 images of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. John Leslie Hess, 64, previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. After completing his prison term, he will be on federal supervised release for 10 years, the first of which will be served on home confinement. Hess will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Hess admitted that on March 2, 2015, he possessed images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were contained on his personal computers and multiple media devices found at his residence in Parkersburg. The investigation revealed that Hess was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download, receive, and distribute child pornography. 

The FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Parkersburg Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This case is being brought as part of an ongoing initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Charleston men were sentenced today to federal prison for gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Joseph Sampson, 36, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also sentenced to an additional six months in prison for violating his federal supervised release. The sentences will be served consecutively. Sampson admitted that on May 8, 2016, he was found in possession of a New England Arms 12 gauge short-barreled shotgun. The firearm was discovered during a traffic stop in Charleston. Sampson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2003 felony drug conviction in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia.

In a separate prosecution, Michael Brooks Burgess, 46, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. On February 8, 2016, Burgess was stopped for speeding and a suspected DUI in Sissonville. During the stop, officers found a vial of methamphetamine in his pocket and over 30 grams of methamphetamine under the driver’s seat. The officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded .45 caliber handgun, three high capacity magazines for a MAC-10 firearm, approximately 50 rounds of ammunition, and over an ounce of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle. Burgess admitted that he was a habitual, unlawful user of methamphetamine at the time he possessed the gun.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Sampson. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is responsible for the Sampson prosecution. The investigation of Burgess was conducted by the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the Burgess prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentences.

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 Kentucky man pleaded guilty today to federal gun and drug charges, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Marques Stephon Dawson, 31, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute crack, cocaine, and marijuana.

On August 30, 2016, deputies with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 1030 21st Street in Huntington. Deputies previously utilized a confidential informant to make multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from Dawson at the residence. During the search, deputies located Dawson inside the residence. Deputies also seized approximately 17 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 137 grams of cocaine, approximately 555 grams of marijuana, digital scales, $1,372 in cash, and a Raven Arms, MP-25, .25 caliber pistol. Dawson was arrested and admitted to selling drugs from the residence from at least May of 2016 because he “needed extra money.” Dawson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2013 felony conviction in federal court in Kentucky for possession with intent to distribute crack.

Dawson faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the drug crime and up to 10 years in federal prison for the gun crime for a total of up to 30 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2017.

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

This prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime. This prosecution was also 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 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 man was sentenced today to seven and a half years in federal prison for a heroin crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Lamont Walter Haywood, 38, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Haywood admitted that on January 22, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. The drug deal took place at Star Communications, located on 8th Avenue in Huntington, and was captured on video. Haywood further admitted that he was responsible for selling up to 700 grams of heroin during 2014 and 2015.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers 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 pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington heroin dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gerald Harris, 23, entered his guilty plea to distribution of heroin.

On March 22, 2016, Harris sold approximately 11.8 grams of heroin to a confidential informant working with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. Harris met the confidential informant on Rear Monroe Avenue in Huntington to conduct the sale.

Harris faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 14, 2017.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who participated in a heroin conspiracy in 2014 was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Rasheed T. Latham, 28, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Between March and July 2014, Latham conspired with other individuals to distribute heroin in the Point Pleasant area of Mason County. During the conspiracy, Latham and others would frequently transport heroin from Columbus and Chillicothe to a residence in Gallipolis where they would store and prepare it for distribution. Members of the conspiracy would then distribute the heroin to customers in Gallipolis and to customers who traveled from Point Pleasant. Latham and others also frequently traveled to Point Pleasant where they used various residences to distribute the drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, which includes the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the Gallia-Meigs County, Ohio, Major Crimes Task Force, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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 Columbus drug dealer was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for a heroin crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Christopher E. Butts, 42, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Butts admitted that on May 24, 2016, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. The drug deal took place at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Randolph Street in Charleston. Butts further admitted that he sold drugs to a confidential informant again the next day. On May 26, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence where Butts was staying. During the search, officers seized over six grams of heroin from Butts that was in his pocket, a firearm located near his feet, and cash from the residence. Officers additionally located approximately 75 grams of heroin behind the couch in the residence. All of the heroin recovered in the search was field tested by law enforcement and came up positive for the presence of fentanyl, which is anywhere from 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

This case 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 man was sentenced today to a year and nine months in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Ronald Sayles, 39, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Sayles admitted that in December 2014, he possessed two handguns, a Taurus .32 caliber pistol and a Ruger 9 mm pistol, at his Charleston residence. Charleston Police Department officers discovered the guns while executing a search warrant on December 7, 2014. Sayles was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2002 felony drug conviction in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail handled 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 existing local programs targeting gun crime.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A St. Albans woman pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Luci Jane McCormick, 39, entered her guilty plea to conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge. 

McCormick admitted that between April 12, 2015, and May 7, 2015, she and a codefendant recruited other individuals to fraudulently obtain pain pills. The recruited individuals were directed by McCormick or the codefendant to go to pharmacies in the Kanawha County area to obtain oxycodone and Xanax by presenting fraudulent and forged prescriptions to the pharmacies. The recruited individuals would be paid cash to fill the fraudulent prescription or allowed to keep a small amount of the pain pills fraudulently obtained. The remaining pills were returned to McCormick and the codefendant.     

McCormick faces up to four years in federal prison when she is sentenced on February 16, 2017.

The case against McCormick was investigated by the Dunbar Police Department, the South Charleston Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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 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 St. Albans man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Harold Lee Parsons III, 40, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

On February 5, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Parsons’ residence on 2nd Avenue in St. Albans. Parsons was present in his residence during the search and he admitted that he opened a safe for law enforcement. Inside the safe were 12 baggies containing approximately 330 grams of methamphetamine. Parsons further admitted that he received the drugs from Joseph Cooper, a codefendant, and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.

Parsons faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 7, 2017.

Cooper previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 19, 2017. Benjamin Childers, another individual implicated in this investigation, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on January 4, 2017. Also as a result of this investigation, three other codefendants pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Morgan Light, Mark Cobb, and Shayne Shamblen each face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on February 2, 2017.

The investigation of these cases was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is responsible for these prosecutions. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., is presiding over these cases.

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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for a heroin crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Jessica Dawn Prince, 30, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Prince admitted that on October 19, 2015, she sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place in Prince’s residence at 5400 Altizer Avenue in Huntington. Following her arrest for the October 2015 controlled buy, law enforcement discovered that Prince was in possession of additional heroin for distribution. Prince was ultimately found to be responsible for selling over 600 grams of heroin in the Huntington area.

The Drug Unit of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is responsible for the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This prosecution 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who participated in a multistate drug ring pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Roy Bills, 51, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. 

Between the summer of 2014 and May of 2016, Bills conspired with multiple individuals, including codefendants Corey Bruce Toney and Parker Wyatt Mays, to distribute marijuana in the Huntington area. Toney and Mays frequently acquired marijuana from a source in California and arranged for the marijuana to be shipped by courier or transported to Huntington. Bills traveled to California on at least two occasions to transport marijuana to Huntington as part of the conspiracy. He admitted that in October 2015 he transported 100 pounds of marijuana and in March 2016 he transported 80 pounds of marijuana. After arriving in Huntington with the drugs, Bills further admitted that he provided the marijuana to Toney for Toney and others to distribute. 

Bills faces up to 5 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 6, 2017.

These prosecutions arose out of a comprehensive investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Huntington Police Department, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, which resulted in charging 12 defendants for offenses related to the distribution of heroin, crack, marijuana, and alprazolam in Huntington. 

Five defendants have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this drug ring. Matthew Michael Meadows, Arthur James Canada, Tanisha Lynette Wooding, Mays, and Toney have all pleaded guilty to various federal drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. All of the other defendants charged in the prosecution of this drug ring are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of these prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers is presiding over these cases. 

These prosecutions are 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 Charleston man caught with a significant amount of methamphetamine was sentenced today to four years in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Craig Jason Hundley, 40, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

Hundley admitted that on April 4, 2016, he was stopped on Interstate 64 in Cabell County by a member of the West Virginia State Police. A K-9 named Feera utilized by the West Virginia State Police performed an exterior sniff of Hundley’s car and indicated that drugs were present. When law enforcement searched the car, they found approximately 1,065 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the trunk. 

The case against Hundley was investigated by the West Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers 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 Boone County man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gregory Scott Runion, 33, of Seth, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Runion admitted that on March 25, 2016, he sold a KBI SKS-45 rifle to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The deal took place in Seth in Boone County. Runion was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2009 felony gun possession conviction in Monroe, Michigan.

Runion faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 2, 2017.

The U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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 Chicago woman was sentenced today to five years of probation, with the first eight months to be served on home confinement, for credit card fraud, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Stephanie Stevenson previously pleaded guilty to possession of 15 or more counterfeit access devices. A counterfeit access device is a credit card that has been altered so that it contains stolen information that has been re-encoded on the magnetic strip on the back of the card.

Stevenson admitted that she, along with three codefendants, Wynesha Wilson-Robinson, Christine Johnson, and Crystal Merritt, possessed over 100 counterfeit access devices. Stevenson, along with the other codefendants, drove from Chicago to attempt to use these credit cards. On June 5, 2015, they were observed at the South Charleston Target and Walmart attempting to use the counterfeit cards. The four were arrested by law enforcement after store employees became suspicious of the multiple attempts to use the credit cards to complete a purchase.  

The South Charleston Police Department and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This is the final sentencing as a result of this investigation. Wilson-Robinson was sentenced on August 11, 2016, to five months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of probation. Wilson-Robinson was further ordered to serve the first five months of her probation on home confinement. Johnson was sentenced on October 3, 2016, to six months of home confinement, to be followed by three years of probation. Merritt was sentenced on October 18, 2016, to five years of probation, with the first eight months to be served on home confinement.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three defendants pleaded guilty today to federal drug crimes for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Morgan Light, 24, of Charleston and Las Vegas, Mark Cobb, 30, of St. Albans, and Shayne Shamblen, 47, of St. Albans, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

As part of a comprehensive investigation, agents from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and Homeland Security Investigations intercepted several mail packages that contained methamphetamine, other drugs, or drug proceeds. Since January 2014, several pounds of methamphetamine were transported from California and Nevada into the Southern District of West Virginia via the United States mail or through individuals driving packages of drugs into the area. Light, Cobb, and Shamblen each admitted that they worked with Joseph Cooper, a codefendant, to arrange for the shipment and transport of methamphetamine to West Virginia.

Light’s handwriting was found on at least one package that contained over 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Shamblen admitted that he arranged for the shipment of that same package and intended to distribute the methamphetamine contained in the package. Cobb lived with Light and Cooper in Nevada for a short time, and also helped with the packaging and distribution of methamphetamine. Cobb’s fingerprint was found on a package containing approximately 3 grams of crystal methamphetamine that was sent to an individual in St. Albans. The methamphetamine from both of the packages was laboratory tested and found to be over 90% pure.

Light, Cobb, and Shamblen each face up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on February 2, 2017. Cooper previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 19, 2017. Benjamin Childers, another individual involved with the transport of methamphetamine in this drug trafficking organization, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on January 4, 2017.

Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is responsible for the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., is presiding over these cases.

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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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A convicted felon from Sophia was sentenced today to three years and one month in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gene A. James, 46, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

James admitted that on February 23, 2016, while in Sophia, he possessed a Leinad model DD derringer pistol. James was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2014 conviction in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia for distribution of oxycodone.

The United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger 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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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Greenbrier County man pleaded guilty today to a federal tax crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Brandon J. Black, 32, of Rainelle, entered his guilty plea for failing to pay employment taxes.  

Black owned and operated a private security business in Lewisburg that provided services to businesses and individuals throughout West Virginia. The business initially began as Professional Security Services and then started operating as CLB Security in 2014. Black admitted that he was responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over to the IRS federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes that were withheld from the wages of employees. Black further admitted that between January 2010 and June 2015, he withheld over $400,000 from employee paychecks and failed to pay over the money to the IRS. He also admitted that he failed to pay over more than $230,000 to account for his share of additional taxes as an employer. Black admitted that the total tax loss for his criminal conduct is over $630,000, and he also admitted that he owes that same amount to the IRS as restitution.

Black faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced on February 8, 2017.

This case was investigated by agents of the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, and the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner – Fraud Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

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