Southern District of West Virginia

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Leondus Whittenburg, 43, of Beckley, was sentenced today to seven years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 6, 2023, Whittenburg sold 320 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of a Beckley business near Eisenhower Drive.

Whittenburg has a criminal history that includes multiple prior felony convictions including for drug trafficking in the Southern District of West Virginia.

Whittenburg is among four defendants who pleaded guilty in the case. Phillip Gray, 42, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and John Gray, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine and both are scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2025. Daemien Thompson, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-31.

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A West Virginia man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his willful failure to pay over employment taxes on behalf of his business.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Dean E. Dawson, of Hurricane, owned and operated Real Property Consulting Group LLC (RPC Group), a Hurricane, West Virginia, real estate appraisal business. Dawson was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from RPC Group’s employees and paying over those funds to the IRS. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

Between 2015 and 2022, Dawson did not pay to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks. He also used RPC Group’s business accounts to pay for personal expenses, including personal credit cards and his wife’s home mortgage. He also issued checks to his wife from RPC Group even though she was not an employee of the business. In addition, from 2018 to 2023, Dawson did not file personal tax returns or pay income taxes. 

In total, Dawson caused a tax loss to the IRS of about $525,000.

In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers for the Southern District of West Virginia ordered Dawson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $430,527.56 plus interest in restitution to the United States.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Rebecca A. Caruso of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Storage for the Southern District of West Virginia prosecuted the case.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dean E. Dawson, 65, of Hurricane, was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $430,527.56 plus interest in restitution for his willful failure to pay over employment taxes on behalf of his business.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Dawson owned and operated Real Property Consulting Group LLC (RPC Group), a Hurricane real estate appraisal business. Dawson was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from RPC Group’s employees and paying over those funds to the IRS. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government because they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

Between 2015 and 2022, Dawson did not pay to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks. He also used RPC Group’s business accounts to pay for personal expenses, including personal credit cards and his wife’s home mortgage. Dawson also issued checks to his wife from RPC Group even though she was not an employee of the business. In addition, from 2018 to 2023, Dawson did not file personal tax returns or pay income taxes. 

In total, Dawson caused a tax loss to the IRS of about $525,000.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Trial Attorney Rebecca A. Caruso of the Tax Division and Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-120.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Tanisha Wooding, 46, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to theft of government money. Wooding fraudulently obtained $91,664 in COVID-19 loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for her personal use.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about July 26, 2020, through on or about June 10, 2021, Wooding knowingly defrauded and obtained money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program authorized by the CARES Act. Wooding applied for and received four PPP loans totaling $81,664, falsely claiming on each application that the loan was for a business to cover payroll and other allowable expenses. Wooding listed an insurance agency on two of the applications, a carpet cleaning business on the third and a tax service on the fourth. Wooding also applied for and received a $10,000 EIDL program loan, falsely claiming the money was for an insurance business where she employed 10 people.

As part of her guilty plea, Wooding admitted that she did not own or operate any such businesses and had no payroll or other eligible business expenses during that time. The proceeds from each fraudulently obtained loan were deposited in Wooding’s personal bank account in West Virginia. Wooding admitted that she made dozens of cash withdrawals and mobile payment and digital wallet service transfers to spend loan proceeds for personal use.

The CARES Act made forgivable PPP relief loans available to adversely impacted eligible businesses and authorized the SBA to provide EIDL program loans to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption.

Wooding is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Wooding also owes $101,204.31 in restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), , the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

NASA OIG is an active member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Tessman is prosecuting the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-122.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Todd M. Chapman, 57, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud. Chapman admitted that he embezzled at least $602,000 from a Huntington law firm while its officer manager, including funds from client trust accounts and proceeds from a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

According to court documents and statements made in court, Chapman was employed as the firm’s office manager for approximately 30 years until April 2022. During this time, Chapman was authorized to write checks from the firm’s bank accounts for legitimate business expenses.

From approximately 2016 through approximately 2022, Chapman personally enriched himself by writing unauthorized checks from the law firm’s accounts and client trust accounts to himself. As part of his guilty plea, Chapman admitted that he carried out his scheme by using the trust he gained from his 30-year tenure with the firm to obtain complete and exclusive control of its day-to-day finances. To conceal or disguise the embezzlement, Chapman funneled money he stole from clients through the firm’s operating accounts, forged signatures on checks, created false documents, made false statements under oath in civil lawsuits by former firm clients, and made false statements to federal law enforcement agents investigating the loss of client funds at the firm.

Chapman embezzled at least $409,000 from the estates of three deceased firm clients, $100,000 that one minor client was supposed to receive upon turning 18, and $15,838.84 of an initial $20,000 settlement deposit for another minor client who suffered an injury as an infant. Chapman also embezzled $13,686.21 from a $20,375 PPP loan that the firm legitimately received to provide emergency financial aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chapman admitted that he spent the embezzled funds for his personal enjoyment and lifestyle.

Chapman is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Chapman also owes $602,000 in restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff's Office.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Tessman, Erik S. Goes and Kathleen Robeson have prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-121.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, Lesley Scott Watkins, 50, and Jawuan Akil Watts, 31, both of Oak Hill, each pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 5, 2024, Watkins possessed an HS Product model XD-S .45-caliber pistol and a Sig Sauer model P220 45-caliber pistol in Fayette County. On July 6, 2024, Watts possessed a Heritage Manufacturing model Rough Rider .22-caliber revolver and a Colt model Peacemaker .22-caliber revolver in Fayette County.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Watkins knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in Fayette County Circuit Court on September 24, 2008. Watts knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for burglary in Raleigh County Circuit Court on July 11, 2014.

Watts and Watkins are scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2025. Each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Oak Hill Police Department.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and D. Keith Randolph are prosecuting the cases.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-92 (Watkins) and 2:25-cr-93 (Watts).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Julio Cesar Ruiz-Perez, 21, a citizen of Mexico living illegally in Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession of a counterfeit Social Security card with the intent to defraud the United States and was sentenced to time served. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an immigration detainer on Ruiz-Perez so he can be transferred to ICE administrative custody for removal proceedings.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 11, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Charleston residence and encountered Ruiz-Perez. ICE agents confirmed that Ruiz-Perez is a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally. Officers found a counterfeit Social Security card in his name during the search. Ruiz-Perez has no legal identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States. Ruiz-Perez possessed the fake Social Security card to verify fraudulently that he is eligible to work in the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case as part of a special unit within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia focused on the immigration enforcement objectives of Operation Take Back America.

Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-86.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – William Powell, 35, of Huntington, was sentenced today to six months on home detention, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $15,625 in restitution for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Powell admitted that he received $15,625 in proceeds from a criminally derived Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

According to court documents and statements made in court, co-defendant Kisha Sutton conspired with Powell and others to obtain fraudulent PPP loans. Sutton submitted a PPP loan application on Powell’s behalf on April 19, 2021, listing Powell as a sole proprietor hair stylist who received $75,000 in gross income in 2020. The application was filed with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, stating that Powell had earned $75,000 in 2020. As part of his guilty plea, Powell admitted that he never earned $75,000 as a hair stylist in one year. Powell further admitted that the IRS Form 1040 submitted with his application was fraudulent and created solely to obtain the PPP loan.

A PPP lender in Florida approved Powell’s loan application. The $15,625 in proceeds from the fraudulent loan was deposited in Powell’s personal bank account on June 29 2021. Between July 6 and July 20, 2021, Powell transferred $2,000 to Sutton from the fraudulent PPP loan proceeds using a digital wallet application. Powell admitted that he spent the remainder of the fraudulent loan proceeds on personal expenses.

The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.

Powell and Sutton among several individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they and others conspired, as well as aided and abetted one another, to obtain fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. Sutton, 44, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was found guilty on July 15, 2025, of aiding and abetting bank fraud and aiding and abetting laundering of monetary instruments by a federal jury following a two-day trial. Sutton is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2025. The three remaining co-defendants pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan T. Storage and Jennifer D. Gordon and former Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson prosecuted the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-192.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James Lomax, 34, of Hurricane, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including four months on home detention, and ordered to pay $13,312 in restitution for theft of public money, property or records. Lomax admitted that he fraudulently obtained $13,312 in unemployment benefits, including COVID-19 supplementary funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about March 24, 2020, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lomax applied for unemployment compensation after he was laid off as a sales manager at a St. Albans auto dealership. Lomax legitimately received unemployment benefits until the week ending April 25, 2020, when he returned to work, but continued to apply for unemployment benefits through at least July 18, 2020. As part of his guilty plea, Lomax admitted that he falsely certified to WorkForce West Virginia, which administers the unemployment compensation program for the State of West Virginia, for 13 consecutive weeks that he was entitled to unemployment benefits. Lomax submitted the false certification answers while using his personal electronic device in St. Albans.  

Lomax fraudulently obtained approximately $13,312 in unemployment benefits, including supplementary funds provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Lomax admitted that he used the fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits to make purchases and pay his bills.

Two of Lomax’s co-workers, his father Gary Lomax, 63, of Hurricane, and Christopher Grant, 42, of Buckhannon, previously pleaded guilty to similar pandemic-related unemployment compensation fraud schemes. Gary Lomax was sentenced on November 19, 2024, to five years of federal probation, including four months on home detention, and ordered to pay $29,592 in restitution for theft of public money, property or records. Grant was sentenced on November 25, 2024, to five years of federal probation, including four months on home detention, and ordered to pay $35,168 in restitution for conspiracy to steal public money, property or records.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the WorkForce West Virginia Integrity Section, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

NASA OIG is an active member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Tessman and former Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Bazzle II prosecuted the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-57.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Krista Marie Menchaca, 32, of Cross Lanes, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation and ordered to pay $21,963.96 in restitution for receipt of stolen money. Menchaca received $19,395 in proceeds from a criminally derived Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 12, 2021, an individual submitted a PPP loan application on Menchaca’s behalf to a program lender in Arizona. As part of her guilty plea, Menchaca admitted that the application and an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, filed with it falsely represented that Menchaca was a self-employed health practitioner who received $93,100 in gross income during 2000. Menchaca further admitted that the IRS Form 1040 was fake and created solely to obtain a fraudulent PPP loan.

The lender approved the fraudulent loan application and $19,395 was deposited in Menchaca’s personal bank account on or about July 2, 2021. While in West Virginia, Menchaca spent more than $5,000 of the PPP loan proceeds on her personal expenses.

The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-68.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jeremiah Clinton Gray, 43, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, was sentenced today to one year and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 22, 2024, law enforcement responded to reports of a man inside a Jackson County, Ohio, business with a firearm, body armor and a badge. The individual, later identified as Gray, left the business in a vehicle without a license plate and fled from an attempted traffic stop by law enforcement. The resulting pursuit led law enforcement into West Virginia, where the vehicle was stopped in Charleston with the assistance of spike strips. Gray was arrested and officers found a loaded Taurus model 1911 Officer 9mm pistol on his person and a loaded Mossberg model 590 Shockwave .410-gauge shotgun in the vehicle.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Gray knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee on October 20, 2023.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Virginia State Police and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-35.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Marcas Cory Anglin, 30, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced today to three years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 2, 2020, Anglin was driving a vehicle on U.S. Route 19 in Fayette County, West Virginia, when law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop in response to reports of a vehicle driving erratically. Anglin fled from officers in his vehicle, leading them on a chase through Fayette County and into Nicholas County where he wrecked the vehicle. Anglin then fled on foot and was apprehended in a barn in the Pool area. Officers seized a loaded Glock model 27 .40-caliber pistol, which they determined was reported stolen, when they arrested Anglin.

Anglin fled from officers while being transported for processing following his arrest but was recaptured. Officers found Anglin was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant issued in Florida.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Anglin knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for armed burglary of a dwelling in Hillsborough County, Florida, Circuit Court on June 19, 2014.

Anglin has a criminal history that also includes prior convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and grand theft of a firearm.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police.

Senior United States District Judge David A Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-153.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Braulio Villa-Chairez, also known as “Raul,” 31, a Mexican national living illegally in the United States, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in March 2024 until in or around about October 2024, Villa-Chairez conspired with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. As part of his guilty plea, Villa-Chairez admitted that he assisted the conspiracy by shipping methamphetamine to West Virginia and elsewhere.

In July 2024, Villa-Chairez shipped two separate packages containing a total of 1.97 kilograms of methamphetamine “ice” from Houston, Texas, to a customer in West Virginia after receiving instructions from a co-conspirator. On or about July 18, 2024, Villa-Chairez picked up a package containing $4,800 sent by the customer, notified a co-conspirator that he had obtained the package, and re-shipped it to Washington state.

In August 2024, Villa-Chairez shipped a package containing approximately 963.8 grams of methamphetamine to Alabama. In October 2024, Villa-Chairez assisted a co-conspirator who was delivering approximately 5.905 kilograms of methamphetamine “ice” and approximately 4.402 kilograms of methamphetamine by vehicle to West Virginia by providing him with directions to a hotel and a casino in Kanawha County.

As part of his guilty plea, Villa-Chairez also admitted that he has lived illegally in the United States under the name “Jose Jesus Villa-Chairez” and has been convicted of two federal felony offenses under that name.

Villa-Chairez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an immigration detainer on Villa-Chairez and he will be transferred to ICE administrative custody for removal proceedings upon the completion of any sentence.

Villa-Chairez and two other Mexican nationals living illegally in the United States were indicted by a federal grand jury as the result of a joint investigation by federal and local law enforcement into a conspiracy that was responsible for delivering large quantities of methamphetamine to West Virginia and elsewhere from Houston. Co-defendant Silvester Barcenas, 23, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20, 2025. Co-defendant German Francisco Diaz, also known as “Trulio,” 41, remains a fugitive. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Israel Chaires-Villa, 23, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty on February 13, 2025, to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine as a result of the joint investigation and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-176.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Khali Marquise Barnes, 26, of Huntington, was sentenced today to four years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a home compliance check at Barnes’ residence in Huntington and located a loaded Glock 19 9mm handgun in Barnes’ bed. Barnes admitted to possessing the firearm.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Barnes knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery in Cabell County Circuit Court on August 10, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-61.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Robert Lee Taylor, 44, of Huntington, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin and for violating supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 19, 2025, law enforcement officers obtained consent to search a Huntington residence and found approximately 104 grams of heroin, three digital scales, and plastic bags for packaging the heroin in a storage tote on the back deck of the residence. As part of his guilty plea, Taylor admitted that he possessed the seized heroin and that he intended to distribute it. Taylor further admitted to selling approximately 7 grams of heroin to a confidential informant for $491 on the back deck of the Huntington residence the day before the search.

Officers executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence in Huntington on March 19, 2025, and seized approximately $8,661. Taylor admitted that the seized cash was proceeds from the distribution of heroin.

At the time of this offense, Taylor was on supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on May 1, 2023. Today’s sentence includes eight months for committing a crime while on supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-74.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Robert Craig Hatfield, also known as “Bobby,” 48, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to carrying a firearm during and in relation to the distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 11, 2025, Hatfield sold a SCCY 9mm pistol and approximately 4.5 grams of heroin to a confidential informant in exchange for $340. Hatfield admitted to conducting the transaction, which occurred at his Huntington residence, and to arranging it beforehand.

Hatfield is scheduled to be sentenced on November 24, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff's Office.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-45.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jaron Andrew O'Neal, 39, of Charleston, was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, investigators obtained a search warrant for a package addressed to a Barboursville address after a K9 alerted to the package. Investigators opened the package and found it contained approximately 1 kilogram of fentanyl. Investigators replaced the fentanyl with a sham substance and conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the Barboursville address. On January 24, 2023, O'Neal retrieved the package from the address and drove away with it in his vehicle. Investigators conducted a traffic stop of O’Neal’s vehicle and found the package in the vehicle. O’Neal told investigators that he retrieved the package believing that it contained controlled substances.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-85.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Eugene Ginther, 42, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 24, 2024, Ginther possessed approximately 98.58 grams of methamphetamine in the Charleston area. Ginther admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.

At the time of this offense, Ginther was serving a term of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on August 2, 2018.

Ginther is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Marshals Service.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-33.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – John Robert Coe, 66, of Parkersburg, paid $54,740 in restitution and a $500 fine for continuing to employ a known illegal alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from early 2011 until May 12, 2021, a foreign national from Madagascar worked without monetary compensation at the business that Coe co-owned with Frederick Sayre Anderson. Coe admitted that, at some point in 2011, he learned the foreign national’s presence in the United States was unlawful. Coe further admitted that the foreign national continued to work at the business until May 12, 2021, despite her illegal immigration status.

The foreign national was also housed at the business, sleeping in an office converted into a bedroom. The business is a laboratory that provides water quality testing kits to state and local governments across the country. Coe admitted that the foreign national performed work for the business including shipping supplies to customers, receiving customer service calls, and handling the company’s accounts receivable.

Coe further admitted that he also had the foreign national perform side jobs for him during this time period. These side jobs included cleaning his residence and editing history book manuscripts that he was preparing for publication. Coe compensated the foreign national in cash for these side jobs.

On May 7, 2021, Coe learned from Anderson that federal immigration agents were at the business and searching for the foreign national. Coe admitted that Anderson suggested later that day that they move the foreign national into Coe’s residence. Coe further admitted that he did not want the foreign national moving into his residence. They discussed moving the foreign national into a motel before agreeing that the foreign national should remain at the business. On May 12, 2021, the foreign national permanently left the business with the assistance of federal authorities.

Anderson, 65, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2024, to concealing, harboring, and shielding an alien from detection. Anderson admitted that the foreign national entered the United States on a 90-day fiancée K-1 nonimmigrant visa that he obtained. Anderson further admitted that he knew the visa required him to marry the foreign national within 90 days, that he never married her, and that he knew her presence in the United States became unlawful once her K-1 visa expired on April 8, 2011. Anderson was sentenced on May 13, 2025, to three years of federal probation and ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the West Virginia State Police, and the Parkersburg Police Department.

Coe paid the $500 fine on August 7, 2025, and the $54,740 in restitution on March 17, 2025, after pleading guilty on January 22, 2025. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-178.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia secured a $956,709 default judgment against Clara Ann Mason, a Putnam County veterinarian, after she was unable to account for 9,796 dosage units of oxycodone HCL, hydrocodone/acetaminophen and other controlled substances, Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers ordered Mason, 64, of Winfield, to pay the maximum civil penalties. The Court found that Mason ordered thousands of doses of opioids and other drugs, failed to keep these drugs secured, failed to keep track of these drugs, and apparently fabricated records to cover her failures.

According to court documents, between March 8, 2018, and July 10, 2023, Mason ordered 14,200 dosage units of hydrocodone/acetaminophen at 10/325 milligrams each, 800 dosage units of oxycodone HCL at 10 milligrams each, and 600 dosage units of oxycodone HCL at 5 milligrams each from a veterinary pharmaceutical wholesale supplier. At the time, Mason was licensed under the laws of West Virginia to practice veterinary medicine and was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a practitioner authorized to dispense controlled substances to the extent permitted by federal law.

For the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, Mason ordered substantially more hydrocodone/acetaminophen from the supplier than any other individual customer. Between January 2021 and January 2023, Mason’s oxycodone HCL orders accounted for 74 percent of all oxycodone HCL dosage units sold by the supplier.

On October 11, 2023, investigators executed an administrative inspection warrant at the address Mason registered with DEA in Winfield and found controlled substances unsecured in numerous locations throughout the property. During the execution of the warrant, Mason was unable to produce any records of dispensing scheduled medications, the required DEA forms recording her purchases of controlled substances, or inventory records also required by federal law. Mason voluntarily surrendered her DEA registration number during the execution of the warrant.

Investigators took possession of all controlled substances found during the execution of the warrant and determined that at least 6,593 dosage units of hydrocodone and oxycodone were unaccounted for along with other controlled substances. In the days and weeks following the execution of the warrant, Mason provided purported records alleging she dispensed large quantities of opioids to dogs and cats prior to euthanasia. Investigators believe these documents were largely fabricated. Investigators also interviewed several pet owners, and none said they witnessed Mason administering oral medications to their pets.

“The Court concluded that Dr. Mason jeopardized the safety of the community, which has been severely harmed by the opioid epidemic, by failing to properly secure and track these drugs,” Johnston said. “The Court assessed the maximum penalties in this case. This outcome is the result of the excellent work by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), our office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud Investigative Specialist Tyler E. Japhet, and Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. Neil.”

“DEA registrants are responsible for handling controlled substances responsibly and ensuring complete and accurate records are being maintained in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “Failure to comply with controlled substance regulations puts our communities in grave danger, and any registrant who fails to meet these standards will be held accountable.”

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:35-cv-175.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today. During this year’s National Night Out, the office will participate in the community event scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Orchard Manor in Charleston.

Additional National Night Out events are scheduled throughout the Southern District of West Virginia, including in Beckley, Dunbar, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Ravenswood.

“National Night Out is a great way to connect with the communities we serve,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “We make our streets safer when we build trust, strengthen relationships, and foster cooperation.”

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rakai Travall Hawkins, also known as “G,” 30, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 24, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a 7thStreet residence in Huntington and seized approximately 211 grams of fentanyl, 484 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and a loaded stolen SCCY 9mm pistol. As part of his guilty plea, Hawkins admitted that he stored controlled substances at the residence, possessed the seized controlled substances, and intended to distribute the seized controlled substances for money. Hawkins further admitted that he possessed the seized stolen firearm to protect the controlled substances and the proceeds from distributing them.

Hawkins also admitted to additional criminal conduct as part of his guilty plea. On July 22, 2024, Hawkins was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by a law enforcement officers in Huntington. Hawkins possessed approximately 7 grams of fentanyl and 7.5 grams of crack found in the vehicle during the traffic stop and intended to distribute the controlled substances. On two occasions between August 24 and September 4, 2024, Hawkins sold a total of approximately 58 grams of methamphetamine in Huntington. On four occasions between August 13 and September 19, 2024, Hawkins sold a total of approximately 7.15 grams of fentanyl in Huntington. During one of the fentanyl transactions, Hawkins received the SCCY 9mm pistol in exchange for the controlled substance.

Hawkins is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney is prosecuting the case.

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

This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-51.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Steven Jamar Alexander, also known as “Dook,” 39, of Nitro, pleaded guilty today to distribution of a quantity of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Alexander sold approximately 20 grams of fentanyl on two separate occasions in March 2025, each time to a confidential informant in St. Albans.

Alexander further admitted that he was previously convicted of a serious drug felony, distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on May 13, 2019, and was released from prison for that conviction within 15 years of the current offense.

Alexander is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, at least six years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $2 million fine.

Today’s guilty plea results from an investigation that also led to the indictment of 13 other individuals on charges alleging they participated in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. Rafael Cee-Erwin Solomon, also known as “Rip,” 43, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2025, to three counts of distribution of fentanyl as a result of this investigation and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2025. The charges against the remaining defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-70.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Mark Lawrence Lowe, also known as “Cell,” 24, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Lowe admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Huntington area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least September 2023 through November 2023, Lowe participated in the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl at various locations in the Southern District of West Virginia and elsewhere as part of the DTO.

On September 9, 2023, Lowe and co-conspirator Paul Anthony Rucker were transporting fentanyl and methamphetamine from Huntington to Nitro when law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of their vehicle on Interstate 64 in Cabell County. An officer seized approximately 149 grams of fentanyl and 222.62 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle during the traffic stop. As part of his guilty plea, Lowe admitted that he and Rucker intended to distribute the seized controlled substances.

Rucker, 48, of Nitro, was sentenced on July 15, 2024, to six years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Lowe and Rucker are among 27 individuals indicted on charges alleging the DTO distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.

Lowe, Rucker and 22 other defendants have pleaded guilty, including one who pleaded guilty to a separate charge in lieu of the offenses alleged in the indictment. Charges against the remaining defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.

The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Daviontae Lately, also known as “Dave,” 32, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 7, 2023, Lately sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Beckley residence where Lately was staying. As part of his guilty plea, Lately admitted to the transaction. Lately further admitted to selling a quantity of fentanyl to the same confidential informant on September 8, 2023.

On September 12, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Beckley residence where Lately was staying and seized additional quantities of fentanyl, a quantity of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and approximately $9,360 including $1,400 from the controlled buys involving the confidential informant. Lately admitted that he intended to distribute the seized fentanyl and crack, and that the seized cash represented proceeds of drug trafficking activity.

Lately is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beckley Police Department.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-174.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Maximino Montalvo Salas, 20, a Mexican citizen living illegally in Charleston, pleaded guilty today to the felony offense of knowingly possessing a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) and was sentenced to time served. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an immigration detainers on Salas and he will be transferred to ICE administrative custody for removal proceedings.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2025, law enforcement officers encountered Salas in Charleston. ICE agents confirmed that Salas is a citizen of Mexico in the United States illegally and used a counterfeited Immigration Form I-551, also known as a Permanent Resident Card or Green Card, to obtain employment in the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case, as part of a special unit within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia focused on the immigration enforcement objectives of Operation Take Back America.

Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-83.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jason K. Hairston, 27, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 13, 2024 and January 30, 2025, Hairston sold a total of approximately 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine for a total of $5,000 over the course of four separate transactions. As part of his guilty plea, Hairston admitted to the transactions and further admitted to selling a total of approximately 61.3 grams of heroin on two occasions for a total of $4,200 and an AR-style pistol for $1,000 during the time period. Each transaction was with a confidential informant and took place in Charleston.

On February 4, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hairston’s residence and seized 1.958 kilograms of methamphetamine, 23.87 grams of methamphetamine “ice,” six firearms, an assortment of ammunition and magazines, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and $18,057.

Hairston is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-28.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ronald Edward Tinsley, 52, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to escape after failing to return to a federal reentry facility.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 19, 2025, Tinsley failed to return from an approved work pass to Dismas Charities Inc., a Bureau of Prisons residential reentry facility in St. Albans. Law enforcement officers arrested Tinsley on the resulting warrant on May 13, 2025.

Tinsley was confined at Dismas Charities as a result of his conviction for possession of a stolen firearm in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on October 18, 2021.

Tinsley is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Marshals Service

.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer D. Gordon is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-88.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Carey Ann Trotter, also known as “Carey Ann Metz-Wood,” 41, of Crab Orchard, pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 1, 2024, Trotter possessed approximately 10.51 grams of methamphetamine and a total of 25.95 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in several packages. As part of her guilty plea, Trotter admitted that she intended to use some of the controlled substances and aid and abet another individual in the possession and distribution of controlled substances.

Trotter further admitted to possessing a Glock model 21 .45-caliber pistol, a CBC model 817 .17-caliber rifle, and a 26-round high-capacity magazine for .45-caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Trotter knew she was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of her prior felony conviction for delivery of oxycodone in Raleigh County Circuit Court on January 3, 2017.

Trotter is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine.

Trotter’s co-defendant, Joshua Mason Trotter, 44, of Crab Orchard, pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joshua Mason Trotter admitted to possessing the Glock model 21 .45-caliber pistol and CBC model 817 .17-caliber rifle on July 1, 2024. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-cr-22.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Antwaun Winbush, 45, of Charleston was sentenced on Monday, July 21, 2025, to 12 years and seven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2024, a law enforcement officer attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Winbush on U.S. Route 35 in Putnam County. Winbush attempted to flee from the officer, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. While fleeing, Winbush dumped large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana out of his vehicle’s window. Some of the thrown methamphetamine struck the officer’s patrol vehicle and the officer inhaled methamphetamine through the air vents. Winbush almost struck multiple vehicles while fleeing before he lost control of his vehicle and came to a stop.

Officers arrested Winbush following the pursuit and recovered some but not all the methamphetamine from the roadway. As part of his guilty plea, Winbush admitted that he possessed approximately 141.8 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

Winbush also committed other criminal conduct on October 4, 2021, and December 24, 2023. On October 4, 2021, an officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Winbush in Jackson County. A search of the vehicle by law enforcement resulted in the seizure of approximately 227 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, 8 grams of cocaine, 14.7 grams of fentanyl, and a Glock model 33 .357-caliber pistol found hidden behind the stereo area of the dashboard. Winbush admitted to possessing the seized controlled substances and to intending to distribute them.

On December 24, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Winbush’s residence and seized more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm, and ammunition found hidden behind a loose wall. Officers also found drug trafficking paraphernalia, including scales, cutting agents and plastic baggies, during the search.

“Winbush’s criminal history dates back 30 years and includes 20 adult convictions. Winbush has shown time and again that he is only deterred from continuing his criminal conduct and putting citizens at risk when he is incarcerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I commend the brave law enforcement officers who safely apprehended the defendant after he endangered their lives and the public with his reckless attempt to flee the Putnam County traffic stop. I also commend investigative work of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).”

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-154.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, Timothy Ray Gravley, 41, of Bruno, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and his brother Jessie Joe Gravley II, 42, of Bruno, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 17, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residences of each brother. At Timothy Ray Gravley’s residence, officers seized a total of 559.69 grams of fentanyl found in multiple bags, a Ruger model LCP .380-caliber pistol, a Umarex/FN model 502 .22-caliber pistol, and $20,131. At Jessie Joe Gravley’s residence, officers seized 250.1 grams of methamphetamine “ice,” 40.18 grams of heroin, 53.7 grams of cocaine, and $19,243.

As part of his guilty plea, Timothy Ray Gravley admitted that he possessed the fentanyl seized at his residence and that he intended to distribute it in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. He further admitted to selling a total of 6.64 grams of fentanyl for a total of $700 in two separate transactions, one on October 10, 2024, and the other on October 15, 2024, each time to a confidential informant in Bruno.

As part of his guilty plea, Jessie Joe Gravley admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine seized at his residence and that he intended to distribute it in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. He further admitted to selling controlled substances to a confidential informant on two occasions in Bruno. On October 9, 2024, he sold 1.81 grams of fentanyl, 24.99 grams of methamphetamine “ice,” and 1.05 grams of cocaine for $680. On October 14, 2024, he sold 2 grams of fentanyl and 29.03 grams of methamphetamine “ice” for $620.

Timothy Ray Gravley and Jessie Joe Gravley are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025. Each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force, which consists of members of the Mingo County Sheriff's Office, the Logan County Sheriff's Office, the Boone County Sheriff's Office, and the West Virginia State Police.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the cases.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-37 (Jessie Joe Gravley II) and 2:25-cr-38 (Timothy Ray Gravley).

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After two days of trial, a federal jury convicted Kisha Sutton, 44, of Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 15, 2025, of aiding and abetting bank fraud (Count one) and aiding and abetting laundering of monetary instruments (Count two).

Evidence at trial proved that Sutton and co-defendant Shamiese Wright aided and abetted one another to obtain a fraudulent $15,625 Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan on behalf of Wright, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Sutton received $3,000 in fraudulent PPP loan proceeds from Wright as part of their scheme.

On April 19, 2021, Sutton submitted the PPP loan application on Wright’s behalf, listing Wright as a self-employed individual who received $75,000 in gross income in 2020. The application was filed with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, reflecting that Wright had earned $75,000 in 2020. Evidence at trial showed that Wright was not self-employed, had never earned $75,000 in any year, had received unemployment benefits in 2020, and that the IRS Form 1040 submitted with Wright’s application was fraudulent and created solely to obtain the PPP loan.

A PPP lender in Florida approved Wright’s loan application, and $15,625 in fraudulent loan proceeds were electronically deposited in Wright’s personal bank account in Charleston on or about May 7, 2021. Wright transferred the $3,000 to Sutton from the fraudulent PPP loan proceeds using a digital wallet application between May 7, and May 21, 2021. Wright staggered her payments to Sutton and provided misleading transfer descriptions for them to conceal and disguise the nature and the source of the money.

The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other eligible expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.

Sutton is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison. Sutton owes restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court.

“The CARES Act offered emergency assistance to struggling small businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. The defendant chose to exploit that lifeline for personal enrichment,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia is glad to have played a significant role teaming with our law enforcement partners to hold the defendant accountable.”

Johnston commended the excellent investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).

Sutton and Wright and are among several individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they and others conspired, as well as aided and abetted one another, to obtain fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. Wright, 32, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2025, to aiding and abetting the laundering of monetary instruments and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2025. William Powell and Damisha Brown each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Powell, 35, of Huntington, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2025 and Brown, 32, of Charleston, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2025. Jasmine Spencer, 32, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025, to aiding and abetting bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2025.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the jury trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan T. Storage and Jennifer D. Gordon and former Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson have prosecuted the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-192.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Shamiese Wright, 32, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2025, to aiding and abetting monetary laundering.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Wright received $15,625 in proceeds from a criminally derived Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). On April 19, 2021, co-defendant Kisha Sutton submitted a PPP loan application on Wright’s behalf, listing Wright as a self-employed individual who received $75,000 in gross income in 2020. The application was filed with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, reflecting that Wright had earned $75,000 in 2020.

As part of her guilty plea, Wright admitted that she was not self-employed, that she never earned $75,000 in any year, and that the IRS Form 1040 submitted with her application was fraudulent and created solely to obtain the PPP loan.

A PPP lender in Florida approved Wright’s loan application, and $15,625 in fraudulent loan proceeds were electronically deposited in Wright’s personal bank account in Charleston on or about May 7, 2021. As part of her guilty plea, Wright admitted that she transferred $3,000 to Sutton from the fraudulent PPP loan proceeds using a digital wallet application between May 7, and May 21, 2021. Wright further admitted that the transfers were compensation for facilitating the submission of Wright’s fraudulent loan as they had agreed, and that she staggered her payments to Sutton and provided misleading transfer descriptions for them to conceal and disguise the nature and the source of the money. Wright spent the remainder of the fraudulent loan proceeds on personal expenses.

The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other eligible expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.

Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine. Wright also owes up to $18,736.73 in restitution.

Wright and Sutton, 44, of Jersey City, New Jersey, are among several individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they and others conspired, as well as aided and abetted one another, to obtain fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. Co-defendants William Powell and Damisha Brown each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Powell, 35, of Huntington, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2025 and Brown, 32, of Charleston, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2025. Co-defendant Jasmine Spencer, 32, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025, to aiding and abetting bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan T. Storage and Jennifer D. Gordon and former Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson have prosecuted the case.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-192.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Quenin Owen Brown, 34, of Shady Spring, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 28, 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Brown at a gas station in Nitro. Officers arrested Brown on a warrant alleging a parole violation and found he possessed a loaded HS Produkt (Springfield) model Hellcat 9mm pistol in a belly holster. Officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded Glock model 43 9mm pistol and a loaded Taurus model G3 9mm pistol. Officers determined all three firearms were reported stolen.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Brown knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for unlawful wounding on February 6, 2012, and for fleeing with reckless indifference to the safety of others and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine on November 13, 2018, all in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Nitro Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-84.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Semaj Markes Leondre Figg, 33, of Huntington, was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 9, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to reports of shots fired at an 11th Avenue residence in Huntington, encountered Figg, and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and seized approximately 30 grams of crack, 54 grams of fentanyl, a Glock 22C pistol and a Ruger-5.7 pistol. Figg admitted that he intended to sell the seized controlled substances.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.

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

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-180.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Timothy Lane Crowder, 44, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to unlawful receipt of gratuities. Crowder admitted to receiving approximately $24,525.33 from disability benefits awarded to veterans while he was a salaried employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 17, 2020, and July 26, 2023, Crowder was a Veterans Service Representative in Huntington when he assisted 13 veterans with preparing their claims for retroactive disability benefits. As part of his guilty plea, Crowder admitted that he received gratuities from the veterans of approximately 10 to 20 percent of their awarded benefits once their claims were approved.

Federal law bars a federal employee from receiving gratuities or shares of any interest in a claim against the United States. As a Veterans Service Representative employed by the VBA, it was illegal for Crowder to receive a gratuity from veterans he assisted with filing claims. Crowder admitted that he both knowingly and willfully assisted the veterans while knowing that the gratuities represented a share of their awarded disability benefits.

Crowder is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27. 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Crowder also owes $24,525.33 in restitution.

“It is never appropriate for a Veterans Service Representative of a federal benefits program to solicit payments from benefit recipients in exchange for assistance with their benefits,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “That is a betrayal of the public’s trust and undermines the integrity of these programs. Benefit recipients should always refuse to make any such payment and report any solicitation to the employee’s supervisor.”

Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-187.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, of Shady Spring, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk on November 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, 2025, Chief Judge Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

On November 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, 2025, United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and sentenced Walter to 21 years in prison. On July 10, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

On January 27, 2025, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-133.

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A former correctional officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

According to his plea agreement, Fleshman responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Correctional Officer Fleshman arrived at the pod, Q.B. was on the floor as force was being used against him. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officer Fleshman and other members of the conspiracy then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where, aided and abetted by each other, they struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Fleshman admitted that he and the members of the conspiracy struck and injured Q.B. to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod.

Fleshman pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk on Nov. 2, 2023. That same day, former correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer also pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison.

On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Snyder to 19 years and seven months in prison.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison. On July 10, Judge Goodwin sentenced Boothe to three years in prison.

On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Sanjay Mehta, D.O., 57, of Shady Spring, pleaded guilty on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to three counts of aiding and abetting obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Mehta admitted to unlawful prescription practices at HOPE (Hitech Opioid Pharmachovigilance Expertise) Clinic, a purported pain management clinic that operated in Beckley, Beaver and Charleston, West Virginia, and Wytheville, Virginia.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mehta worked at the Beckley HOPE Clinic from November 2012 through July 2013 and the Beaver HOPE Clinic from August 2013 through May 2015. Mehta had little to no experience in dealing with chronic pain patients and no training in prescribing Schedule II narcotics for the treatment of chronic pain when he was recruited to work at HOPE Clinic.

As part of his guilty pleas, Mehta admitted to writing prescriptions for three different HOPE Clinic customers with no legitimate medical purpose, including prescriptions for oxycodone, methadone, and Roxicodone, a brand name for oxycodone hydrochloride. Two of the three customers died of opioid intoxication within days of receiving their unlawful prescriptions.

Mehta is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31, 2025 and faces a maximum penalty of four years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $750,000 fine. Mehta also agreed to surrender his Drug Enforcement Administration Certificate of Registration, not oppose the revocation of his registration to dispense controlled substances, and not apply for re-registration.

Mehta was initially indicted in 2018 along with others associated with HOPE Clinic and Patients, Physicians and Pharmacists Fighting Diversion (PPPFD), which managed HOPE Clinic’s daily operations. The indictment alleges that from November 2010 to June 2015, the defendants conspired to distribute oxycodone and other Schedule II controlled substances, not for legitimate medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice. 

Mehta and six other physicians pleaded guilty to separate charges in lieu of the indictment. PPPFD owner-operator Mark T. Radcliffe, 68, of Shady Spring, and co-defendant Michael T. Moran, M.D., 60, of Covington, Virginia, are scheduled for trial on October 6, 2025. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

“It is readily evident that the Southern District of West Virginia has been severely impacted by the opioid crisis. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to bringing to justice those whose criminal conduct contributes to this crisis and worsens its most tragic consequences,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “This commitment stems from the recognition that such actions harm patients and undermine efforts to combat the epidemic.”

Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the West Virginia State Police, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Beckley Police Department, the Kentucky State Police, the Harrison County, Kentucky, Sheriff’s Department, and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (AHIDTA).

“Medical professionals who cause the distribution of controlled substances not for legitimate medical purposes and not within the usual course of professional medical practice can cause significant harm to the those who purchase them,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ronald Dawkins, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “This case demonstrates that we will hold accountable individuals who would compromise patient safety for personal gain by causing the unlawful distribution of Schedule II prescription medications.”

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Brian D. Parsons are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-cr-104.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jesse Robert Phillips, 40, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to nine years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 30, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to a disturbance call at a Mount Hope, West Virginia, residence where Phillips was living at the time. Officers seized four firearms and two bags containing a total of 19.896 grams of fentanyl analogue from Phillips’ bedroom at the residence.

As part of his guilty plea, Phillips admitted that he possessed the seized fentanyl, and that he intended to distribute it. Phillips further admitted that he had been selling fentanyl and used two other occupants of the residence,  Robert Lee Moran and Kayla Nicole Dent, to sell fentanyl while he was living in West Virginia.

Moran, 47, of Mount Hope, was sentenced on June 3, 2025, to nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. Dent, 34, of Mount Hope, was sentenced to five years of federal probation after pleading guilty on January 29, 2025, to distribution of fentanyl.

Phillips has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for armed robbery and multiple drug offenses.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian D. Parsons and Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-142.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael Reynard Penn, 44, of Beckley, was sentenced today to two years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 17, 2023, Penn sold approximately 27 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant for $1,600 at his Beckley residence. Penn admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling fentanyl to the confidential informant on three other occasions at or outside his residence between August 23 and September 13, 2023.

On September 18, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Penn’s residence and found 6.482 grams of cocaine, 162 grams of marijuana, a Ruger .380-caliber pistol and $4,889. The cash included $470 in pre-recorded money Penn received from the confidential informant during the controlled drug buys.

At the time of this offense, Penn was employed as a peer support counselor at a substance abuse treatment center. Penn has a criminal history that includes a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-94.

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Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Corey Snyder, 30, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison for conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights by using unreasonable force against him, resulting in Q.B.’s death. Jacob Boothe, 27, was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to intervene to stop fellow officers from assaulting Q.B.

According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Snyder and Boothe responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When they arrived, officers were engaged in using force to restrain and handcuff Q.B. Snyder also began using force, including putting his arm around Q.B.’s neck and taking him to the floor. Snyder and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Snyder and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Boothe was present during the assault and had an opportunity to intervene to stop other officers from assaulting Q.B., but he chose not to make any reasonable effort to do so. 

Snyder and Boothe each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B. In addition, Snyder admitted that he knew the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, Snyder and other officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots,” so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions.

Snyder and Boothe are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendants Mark Holdren and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Holdren to 20 years in prison and Walters was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Toney to six and a half years in prison.

On January 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 17 and a half years in prison.

Prior to the indictment of the above six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to nine years in prison. Fleshman is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Volk on July 14.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Three Raleigh County residents were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in Beckley and elsewhere within the Southern District of West Virginia.

Tilford Joe Bradley Jr., 47, of Beckley, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Heather Danielle Dunbar, 38, of Terry, was sentenced to five years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine. Kevin Wray Terrell, 39, of Beckley, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and also for violating supervised release. Each prison term is to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Bradley, Dunbar and Terrell are among 12 individuals indicted on charges alleging they participated in the DTO, which operated from in or about June 2023 to in or about May 2024. All 12 defendants pleaded guilty, including two defendants who pleaded guilty to separate offenses in lieu of the offenses charged in the indictment.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bradley arranged multiple drug transactions with other individuals as part of the DTO conspiracy, and received controlled substances from multiple suppliers for distribution. On June 28, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Bradley’s residence, where Dunbar was staying, and seized 38 grams of fentanyl, 6 grams of cocaine, multiple digital scales, a money counter, a large quantity of small plastic bags, and a blender containing white residue. Dunbar admitted that she intended to help Bradley distribute the seized controlled substances in and around the Southern District of West Virginia.

On October 17, 2023, Dunbar sold 1 ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for $320 to a confidential informant at Bradley’s residence. Dunbar admitted to the transaction as part of her guilty plea and further admitted to selling 25.94 grams of methamphetamine for $320 on October 23, 2023,  and approximately 2.3 grams of fentanyl for $325 on December 26, 2023, each time to a confidential informant. Dunbar also admitted to working with Bradley to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack in and around the Southern District of West Virginia during the months of April and May 2024.

On May 6, 2024, law enforcement officers in Beckley conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Bradley was a passenger. Officers searched the vehicle and seized 2 ounces of methamphetamine found in a magnetic box hidden in the vehicle’s engine bay, a Colt model MK IV .45-caliber pistol, and a Hi-Point model C9 9mm pistol. As part of his guilty plea, Bradley admitted that he intended to distribute the seized methamphetamine.

Terrell admitted that he conspired with others to obtain and distribute controlled substances in April and May 2024 as part of the DTO. On May 30, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Terrell’s residence in Beckley and seized 136 grams of fentanyl.

At the time of this offense, Terrell was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on July 20, 2015. Today’s sentence includes one year and 11 months in prison for committing a crime while on supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Brian D. Parsons and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.

The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-90.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jason Allen Rhule, 45, of Charleston, was sentenced today to six years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 24, 2024, Rhule was on parole for prior felony convictions when parole officers conducted a search of his residence as a condition of his supervision. Officers found a Taurus model PT-140 Millenium G2 .40-caliber pistol and a Palmetto State Armory model PA-15 multi-caliber rifle in Rhule’s bedroom. Officers also found loaded ammunition magazines, including high-capacity magazines for the multi-caliber rifle.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Rhule knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm as a result of his prior felony convictions for attempted manufacture of a controlled substance in Putnam County Circuit Court on October 3, 2022, and attempted grand larceny in Kanawha County Circuit Court on July 31, 2023.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and West Virginia Parole Services.

United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-157.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Corey Snyder, 30, of Shady Spring, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in prison for conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights by using unreasonable force against him, resulting in Q.B.’s death. Jacob Boothe, 27, of Rainelle, was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to intervene to stop fellow officers from assaulting Q.B.

According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Snyder and Boothe responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When they arrived, officers were engaged in using force to restrain and handcuff Q.B. Snyder also began using force, including putting his arm around Q.B.’s neck and taking him to the floor. Snyder and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Snyder and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Boothe was present during the assault and had an opportunity to intervene to stop other officers from assaulting Q.B., but he chose not to make any reasonable effort to do so.  

Snyder and Boothe each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B. In addition, Snyder admitted that he knew the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, Snyder and other officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots,” so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed today’s sentences.

Snyder and Boothe are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendants Mark Holdren and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. On July 9, 2025, Judge Goodwin sentenced Holdren, 41, of Beckley, to 20 years in prison and Walters, 33, of Rainelle, to 21 years in prison, with each prison sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ashley Toney pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney, 25, of Fairdale, to six years and six months in prison on June 9, 2025.

On January 27, 2025, a federal jury returned guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester, 35, of Odd, to 17 years and six months in prison on May 15, 2025.

Prior to the indictment of the six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer, 26, of Bluefield, to nine years in prison on May 7, 2025. Fleshman, 23, of Shady Spring, is scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Volk on July 14, 2025.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made today’s announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:23-cr-188 (Snyder) and 5:24-cr-123 (Boothe).

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren, 41, of Beckley, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Johnathan Walters, 33, of Rainelle, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with each prison sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Holdren and Walters each pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights, resulting in Q.B.’s death. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in restraining Q.B. Holdren began using force against Q.B., including multiple knee-strikes that he knew were unreasonable.

Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully assaulting him as punishment for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of the conspiracy, Holdren and other officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Walters joined them. In the interview room, Holdren and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using pepper spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone.

After assaulting Q.B. in the interview room, officers transported him to another pod. During the transport, Q.B. became limp and was unable to walk on his own. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. by his arms and legs to the pod’s entryway door, where Walters admitted he used unreasonable force to swing Q.B.’s head into the metal door to open the door. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. into a cell, where they dropped the unresponsive and handcuffed Q.B. onto the concrete floor. Shortly thereafter, responding emergency medical personnel declared that Q.B. was deceased.

With their guilty pleas, Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Holdren and Walters were aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions. Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B.  

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed today’s sentences.

Holdren and Walters are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendant Corey Snyder pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Jacob Boothe pleaded guilty in August 2024 to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Snyder and Boothe are scheduled for sentencing before Judge Goodwin on July 10, 2025.

Ashley Toney pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Judge Goodwin sentenced Toney, 25, of Fairdale, to six years and six months in prison on June 9, 2025.

On January 27, 2025, a federal jury returned guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester, 35, of Odd, to 17 years and six months in prison on May 15, 2025.

Prior to the indictment of the six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Burks. Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer, 26, of Bluefield, to nine years in prison on May 7, 2025. Fleshman, 23, of Shady Spring, is scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Volk on July 14, 2025.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made today’s announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-188.

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Two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, were sentenced today for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of a pretrial detainee, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Johnathan Walters, 33, was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Holdren and Walters had each pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights, resulting in Q.B.’s death. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in restraining Q.B. Holdren began using force against Q.B., including multiple knee-strikes that he knew were unreasonable.

Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully assaulting him as punishment for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of the conspiracy, Holdren and other officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Walters joined them. In the interview room, Holdren and other officers used unreasonable force against Q.B., including striking Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicking, knee-striking him, pulling and twisting his fingers, and using pepper spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone.

After assaulting Q.B. in the interview room, officers transported him to another pod. During the transport, Q.B. became limp and was unable to walk on his own. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. by his arms and legs to the pod’s entryway door, where Walters admitted he used unreasonable force to swing Q.B.’s head into the metal door to open the door. Walters and other officers then carried Q.B. into a cell, where they dropped the unresponsive and handcuffed Q.B. onto the concrete floor. Shortly thereafter, responding emergency medical personnel declared that Q.B. was deceased.

With their guilty pleas, Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” – meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened there. Holdren and Walters were aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers would bring inmates, including pretrial detainees, who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, so that officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video, thereby avoiding accountability for their actions. Holdren and Walters each further admitted knowing that officers could not use unreasonable force to punish inmates, including pretrial detainees such as Q.B. 

Holdren and Walters are two of six correctional officers who were indicted in this case. In November 2024, defendant Corey Snyder pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Jacob Boothe pleaded guilty in August 2024 to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. Sentencing hearings for Snyder and Boothe are scheduled for July 10.

In August 2024, Ashley Toney pleaded guilty to failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the officers’ assault. On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin sentenced Toney to 78 months in prison.

On Jan. 27, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict at trial for the sixth indicted defendant, Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, finding him guilty on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. On May 15, Judge Goodwin sentenced Lester to 210 months in prison.

Prior to the indictment of the above six defendants, former correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against Q.B. On May 8, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Wimmer to 108 months in prison. Fleshman is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Volk on July 14.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Francis Combs, 55, of Cool Ridge, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 1, 2024, Combs sold a Jimenez Arms model JA-Nine 9mm pistol to a confidential informant. Combs admitted to possessing the firearm and further admitted to selling a substance containing a quantity of fentanyl to the confidential informant during the transaction, which took place at Combs’ residence.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Combs knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for first-degree robbery in Raleigh County Circuit Court on June 26, 2007, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Wyoming County Circuit Court on October 1, 2019.

Combs also admitted selling a substance containing a quantity of fentanyl and a Bryco Arms model Jennings J-22 .22-caliber pistol to a confidential informant in Raleigh County on July 30, 2024.

Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2025,  and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beckley Police Department.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley C. Shamblin and Alexander A. Redmon have prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-188.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kevin Lemar Legrand, 23, of Beaver, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 16, 2023, Legrand sold approximately 7.2 grams of fentanyl for $600 to a confidential informant. The transaction took place at Legrand’s residence in Beaver. Legrand admitted to that transaction and further admitted to selling a total of approximately 6.2 grams of fentanyl for a total of $1,200 to a confidential informant at his residence on two other occasions in February 2023.

On March 2, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Legrand’s residence and seized an American Tactical .410-gauge shotgun, a Rossi .38-caliber handgun, two loaded magazines, digital scales, a vacuum sealer, body armor and $2,505. The cash included pre-recorded currency from the confidential informant transactions.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Parsons prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-13.

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BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Joshua Sneed, 35, of Bluefield, Virginia, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation, including six months on home detention, and ordered to pay $120,322.10 in restitution for possession of stolen money.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 15, 2024, Sneed was employed as a title clerk for an automotive sales and service business in Bluefield, West Virginia, when a customer purchased a 2008 Bentley Continental for $37,761. The cash was deposited in the business’s safe. On March 27, 2024, Sneed used his access to the business’ computer system to change the transaction from a cash purchase to a credit card purchase. Sneed admitted that he changed the purchase details to conceal the fact that he did not deposit the $37,761 into the business’s bank account. Sneed further admitted that he took the $37,761 in cash from the business to his residence in Bluefield, Virginia.

On March 27, 2024, Sneed prepared a bank deposit slip for the business for $60,100 and prepared a second deposit slip on April 9, 2024, for $60,222.10. Sneed admitted that he never made either deposit with the bank. Sneed further admitted that he prepared the deposit slips to conceal his theft of money from the business over several months.

On April 9, 2024, Sneed attempted to change the record of the Bentley Continental sale back to a cash purchase from a credit card purchase in the business’s computer system. Sneed found the computer system did not allow him to edit transaction histories for March 2024. On April 15, 2024, Sneed was fired from his position.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-14.

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