Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two heroin dealers appeared today in federal court on drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gavin Edwards, 32, of South Charleston, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for distribution of heroin. Edwards was also sentenced today to a year in federal prison for violating his supervised release after he served a prison sentence for a 2008 felony drug conviction in federal court. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. In a separate prosecution, Justin Randolph, 27, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.

Edwards admitted that on December 8, 2014, he sold approximately half a gram of heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Edwards completed the drug deal in the parking lot behind his apartment at 4832 Kanawha Turnpike Avenue in South Charleston. Edwards further admitted that on December 10, 2014, he sold the same confidential informant approximately 1.6 grams of heroin. On December 16, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant for the apartment and located over 250 grams of marijuana, over 250 grams of crack, and approximately $5,930 in cash. During the search, law enforcement also recovered an additional $1,569 in cash that Edwards had in his pockets.

In a separate heroin prosecution, Randolph admitted that on January 15, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. The drug deal took place in the parking lot of the Dunbar Kroger. Randolph faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on June 22, 2016.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team investigated the Edwards case. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.

The investigation of Randolph was conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. Randolph’s plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men pleaded guilty today to federal drug crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Joseph Cooper, 41, of Charleston and Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to possession of 50 or more grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Law enforcement pulled Cooper over on January 20, 2016, in Saint Albans, and seized over 170 grams of methamphetamine, 70 grams of crack, and over $30,000 in cash from the car. Cooper admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine throughout the Southern West Virginia area. Cooper faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 14, 2016.

In a separate drug prosecution, Dennis Walls, 25, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin. Walls admitted that on March 24, 2015, when agents of the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit came to his Fairview Drive residence to inquire about his involvement in dealing heroin in the Charleston area, they found him in the process of weighing heroin for future drug deals. Walls turned over the heroin to law enforcement, along with a .45 caliber handgun. Walls also admitted to his involvement in the distribution of heroin in the area over a several month period. Walls faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 15, 2016.

The investigation of Cooper was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is responsible for the prosecution of Cooper. The Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit conducted the investigation of Walls. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution of Walls. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over both of the plea hearings.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men were sentenced today on federal charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Semaj Markes Leondre Figg, 24, of Huntington, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a separate prosecution, Anthony Lamar Jordan Honeycutt, 35, of Charleston, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. 

Figg previously pleaded guilty in December 2015. He admitted that on April 29, 2015, he was arrested by members of the Huntington Police Department on a warrant for a parole violation. At the time of his arrest, officers found Figg in possession of a CZ Model 52, 7.62 x 25 caliber pistol. Figg was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2014 felony conviction in Cabell County Circuit Court for conspiracy to deliver cocaine.

Honeycutt previously pleaded guilty in December 2015, and admitted that on December 16, 2014, drug task force officers working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team stopped him in downtown Charleston. Honeycutt was on his way to deliver heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Officers found Honeycutt in possession of approximately 42 grams of heroin at the time of his arrest.

The Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Figg. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution of Figg. The investigation of Honeycutt was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution of Honeycutt. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

The prosecution of Figg is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit drug dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal oxycodone crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Chester Lee Estes, 40, entered his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On October 2, 2014, agents with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force were conducting surveillance of several individuals in Huntington who appeared to be involved in drug trafficking near the Days Inn. During that surveillance, agents observed Estes leave the hotel and travel west toward Walmart on Route 60. Members of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, who were assisting in the investigation, then arrested Estes on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for transferring and receiving stolen property. In a search of Estes following his arrest, agents seized 476 oxycodone pills, over $4,500 in cash, two cell phones, and a Days Inn room key. Law enforcement also conducted a search of the hotel room and located the girlfriend of Estes, along with their small child, as well as over $900 in cash and an additional cell phone.

Estes faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 20, 2016.

The investigation of Estes was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men appeared in federal court today on heroin charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Timothy A. Johnson, 46, of Charleston, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Johnson previously pleaded guilty and admitted that on April 23, 2015, law enforcement seized 200 grams of heroin, 384 grams of cocaine, 8 grams of crack, and over $29,000 at his Charleston residence. The seized currency included over $2,000 in pre-recorded buy money used by law enforcement to purchase heroin from a drug dealer that Johnson supplied. Law enforcement also recovered a loaded handgun, a .40 caliber pistol, from his residence.

In a separate drug prosecution, Jerome Anthony Smith, 41, of Williamson, pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin. He admitted that from May to August 2014, during the course of several controlled purchases, he distributed both heroin and crack to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deals took place in the Williamson area. Smith faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on June 9, 2016.

The investigation of Smith was conducted by the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force and the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office. The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation of Johnson. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald handled the prosecutions. The defendants appeared before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two men were sentenced today in federal court in Bluefield, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Tyrell Saunders, 22, was sentenced to a year and nine months for possession of a weapon by an inmate of a federal prison. Saunders previously pleaded guilty to the federal crime in January 2016. He admitted that on May 11, 2015, he possessed a handcrafted knife while he was serving time in the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell. The handcrafted metal weapon, commonly referred to as a “shank,” was sharpened to a point and had fabric around the other end to serve as a handle. The new term of incarceration will run consecutive to the sentence of 15 years Saunders has been serving for several 2013 federal drug convictions in the Western District of Virginia. 

In a separate prosecution, Albert Delorso, 49, of Bluewell, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for distributing pain pills. Delorso previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to distribution of hydromorphone. He admitted that on June 30, 2015, he distributed hydromorphone pills near Bluewell to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. 

The case against Saunders was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated the Delorso case. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecutions. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two White Sulphur Springs men appeared today in federal court in Beckley on drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Darin Timothy Hoke, 21, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison for distribution of oxymorphone. Hoke previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to the federal drug charge. He admitted that on July 28, 2015, he distributed an oxymorphone pill in White Sulphur Springs to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Hoke also admitted that as part of his drug dealing he had distributed over 600 oxymorphone pills and 120 packets of heroin. 

In a separate prosecution, Wilbur Arnold, Jr., 50, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Arnold admitted that on July 22, 2015, law enforcement authorities seized cocaine from his home that he intended to distribute. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on June 8, 2016. 

The case against Hoke was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department and the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated the Arnold case. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecutions. The defendants appeared before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. 

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Multiple defendants appeared today in federal court in Huntington, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Andre Robert Womble, II, 26, of Huntington, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for a heroin crime. He previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to possession with intent to distribute heroin. On December 11, 2014, officers with the Huntington Police Department responded to a complaint on the 300 block of Marcum Terrace in Huntington. An officer observed Womble and noted that he matched the description of the suspect in the complaint. When the officer attempted to approach, Womble began running from the police. The officer chased Womble and observed him throw a cigarette box on the roof of the Olive Street Market. The cigarette box was found by law enforcement to contain approximately 53 grams of heroin. Officers caught and arrested Womble, at which point they found an additional 20 bags of heroin in his pocket. Womble admitted that he intended to distribute all of the heroin.

In a separate prosecution of a federal gun crime, Shane Patrick Masters, 45, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime of domestic violence. On July 2, 2015, Masters traveled to the 26th Street Drinkery, a bar in Huntington. Masters had a handgun in his vehicle when he arrived at the bar where he met and had drinks with two other individuals. Later on in the early morning hours, those two individuals came into possession of the gun and provided it to officers with the Huntington Police Department. Masters was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2015 domestic battery conviction in Wayne County Circuit Court. Masters faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 6, 2016.

In a separate drug prosecution, Michael Muncy, 36, and his mother, Naomi Messer, 55, both of Crum in Wayne County, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Following several controlled purchases of oxycodone from their residence in Crum, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the house on February 21, 2012. Law enforcement seized oxycodone pills and cash, including pre-recorded buy money from a prior controlled purchase of oxycodone. Muncy and Messer each face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when they are sentenced on June 13, 2016.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation of Womble. The Huntington Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation of Masters. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecutions of Womble and Masters. The West Virginia State Police and the Route 119 Task Force conducted the investigation of Muncy and Messer. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecutions of Muncy and Messer.

The hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

The federal firearms charge was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime. The federal drug prosecutions were brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who participated in a heroin conspiracy in 2013 was sentenced today to five years of probation, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Warren G. Howard, Jr., 25, previously pleaded guilty in December 2015 to distributing heroin.

During 2013, Howard conspired with others, including Kenneth E. Baxter, to distribute heroin which had been transported from Detroit to the Huntington area. On May 20, 2013, a confidential informant contacted Baxter to arrange the purchase of heroin. Howard and Baxter met the informant in the parking lot of a grocery store located at 1st Street and 7th Avenue in Huntington. The drug deal took place in Howard’s vehicle. 

Multiple defendants have been convicted of drug offenses as a result of the investigation. Those sentenced to federal prison include Baxter, who was sentenced to seven years and three months; Coty S. Richardson, who was sentenced to five years and ten months; Sean L. Gist, who was sentenced to five years and three months; Ramone L. Wells, who was sentenced to four years; Pricilla Lee Dylan, who was sentenced to two years and nine months; and Dustin S. Barton, who was sentenced to a year and a day. Paul A. Roberts, Jr., was sentenced to five years of probation for assisting the group in securing a residence to conduct drug deals. 

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, United States Postal Service, West Virginia State Police and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation of these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Culloden man who assisted his parents in selling heroin from their home in 2014 and 2015 was sentenced today to five years of probation, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Shawn Paul Cremeans, 24, previously pleaded guilty in December 2015 to aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin.

From early 2014 to May 2015, Sanford Dale Cremeans and his wife, Toni Cremeans, along with their son, Shawn Cremeans, conspired to sell heroin from their residence at 2246 3rd Street in Culloden. On December 2, 2014, a confidential informant working with law enforcement contacted Shawn Cremeans to arrange a heroin purchase. The informant traveled to the Cremeans’ residence and met with Shawn and Sanford Cremeans while they waited for Toni Cremeans to arrive with additional heroin. Once Toni Cremeans arrived, the informant paid Shawn Cremeans and received the heroin from Sanford Cremeans. Both Toni and Shawn Cremeans admitted that they were responsible for distributing up to 100 grams of heroin during the conspiracy. Sanford Cremeans admitted that he assisted in the sale of heroin from the family residence on numerous other occasions and was responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin.

Sanford Cremeans was sentenced in January 2016 to three and a half years in federal prison. Toni Cremeans previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when she is sentenced on March 28, 2016. 

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation of these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. 

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former employee of a Logan County gun and pawn shop pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Steven Adkins, 38, of Man, entered his guilty plea to making and aiding and abetting false statements relating to firearms purchases. 

Adkins was an employee of Uncle Sam’s Loans, a gun and pawn shop in Man. In this job, Adkins sold and transferred firearms to people that he knew were not the actual buyers of the guns. These types of transactions are commonly called “straw purchases.” Adkins fraudulently filled out federal forms required to be completed during a lawful firearms sale, or directed others to fraudulently complete the forms. These fraudulent forms reflected straw purchases when, in fact, the guns were sold to other buyers. From 2009 to 2014, Adkins engaged in more than 50 illegal straw purchases and transfers of firearms.

Adkins faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on June 6, 2016.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and Meredith George Thomas are handling the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced that a Greenbrier County man charged with federal gun crimes was denied bond today. United States Magistrate Judge Dwayne L. Tinsley ordered that Ronald Ray McMillion, 64, of Renick, remain in custody following a hearing in federal court in Charleston.

McMillion was indicted by a federal grand jury in Beckley on February 23, 2016. The indictment alleges that McMillion possessed three firearms on April 21, 2014, and one firearm on April 25, 2014, at his residence in Renick, all while being prohibited from possessing firearms because he is a convicted felon and because he is an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

McMillion’s trial is scheduled for March 28, 2016, in Beckley before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

The United States Attorney’s Office advises that an indictment is merely an allegation of criminal behavior and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Two men, Nero Fernandez-Fernando and Ramiro Lopez Chilel, pleaded guilty and were sentenced today for illegally reentering the United States, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Both men were sentenced to credit for time served and transferred to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for deportation proceedings.

Fernandez-Fernando and Lopez-Chilel were both employees of the Casa Grande Restaurant in Eleanor in Putnam County. Department of Homeland Security investigators encountered both men during the course of an investigation in the Eleanor area. Fernandez-Fernando, a citizen of Mexico, was taken into custody on December 2, 2015. In 2009, he was convicted in Arizona of solicitation to commit smuggling. After this conviction, he was deported to Mexico and he later illegally crossed the border back into the United States. Lopez-Chilel, a citizen of Guatemala, was taken into custody on October 30, 2015. Lopez-Chilel had previously been convicted in Virginia of illegally reentering the United States in 2012, and was subsequently deported. Sometime after his deportation, Lopez-Chilel also illegally reentered the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two felons appeared in court in Huntington today for federal gun crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Bradney Allen Adkins, a felon from South Point, Ohio, who shot himself in the foot while driving on Interstate 64 in February 2015, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison. Adkins, 32, pleaded guilty in November 2015 to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On February 5, 2015, Adkins, while in possession of two handguns, was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 in Barboursville. While driving, Adkins accidently shot himself in the foot with one of the handguns. Adkins went to Cabell Huntington Hospital to seek treatment for the gunshot wound. Troopers with the West Virginia State Police responded to the hospital and recovered both handguns from a dumpster. Adkins, who was in the process of bringing the guns to Huntington to trade for heroin, was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of six previous felony convictions in Ohio and Indiana.  

In a separate hearing, Troy Walter Simpson, a felon from Putnam County who illegally possessed two firearms at his residence, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge. Simpson, 38, of Liberty, entered his guilty plea to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On December 15, 2014, law enforcement went to interview Simpson at his residence located at 198 Fisher’s Ridge Road in Liberty. Agents had previously received a report that Simpson had multiple firearms in his residence. When agents spoke with Simpson, he admitted having the guns and gave agents permission to enter his residence to retrieve them. Agents subsequently located and seized a .30-30 rifle and a .410 shotgun. Simpson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law based on a 2007 felony conviction in Putnam County Circuit Court for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Simpson faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 13, 2016.

The case against Adkins was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation of Simpson. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions. The hearings were held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

These prosecutions were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Three defendants were sentenced today in federal court in Beckley, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Rafael Carrera-Fuentes, 36, was sentenced to a year and nine months for possession of a weapon by an inmate of a federal prison. Carrera-Fuentes previously pleaded guilty to the federal crime in November 2015. He admitted that on April 25, 2015, while he was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at Beckley, a Bureau of Prisons staff member discovered a six-inch piece of sharpened metal hidden in his shoe. Carrera-Fuentes further admitted that he possessed the handcrafted weapon, commonly referred to as a “shank.” The new term of incarceration will run consecutive to the sentence of 11 years for a 2011 federal drug conviction that Carrera-Fuentes is currently serving.

John Samuel Lowe, Jr., 35, of White Sulphur Springs, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for using a phone to facilitate drug trafficking and for simple possession of heroin. Lowe previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug crimes. He admitted that on April 3, 2015, he used a phone in the White Sulphur Springs area to help set up a drug deal with a confidential informant, and that later the same day he distributed heroin to the informant. Lowe further admitted that on April 17, 2015, law enforcement seized a small amount of heroin that Lowe intended to use from his White Sulphur Springs residence.

Stephanie Renee Dunsmore, 30, of White Sulphur Springs, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for using a phone on two occasions to help set up drug transactions with a confidential informant. Dunsmore previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug crimes. She admitted that on March 2, 2015, and again on March 3, 2015, while she was in the White Sulphur Springs area, she called an informant to set up a drug deal, and then later distributed heroin to the informant. She further admitted that her drug crimes involved up to 400 grams of heroin, and that she possessed firearms while involved in her drug dealing activity. 

The Carrera-Fuentes case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The cases against Lowe and Dunsmore were investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecutions. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County man was sentenced to three years and seven months in federal prison for distribution of oxymorphone, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. William Toler, Jr., 29, of Chapmanville, previously pleaded guilty to the federal drug crime in August 2015.

Toler admitted that on April 10, 2014, he sold a 40 mg oxymorphone pill to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place at a residence near Chapmanville. Toler further admitted that he was responsible for over 20 grams of oxymorphone and over 20 grams of oxycodone during the course of his drug dealing activity. During the sentencing hearing, the Court noted that Toler had been a significant law enforcement problem in his community and a substantial source of prescription pills.

This case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. 

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – An Ohio woman was sentenced to four years in federal prison for three counts of passing counterfeit money, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Paula K. Green, 42, of Columbus, previously pleaded guilty to the federal counterfeiting crimes in October 2015.

Green admitted to passing counterfeit $100 bills in April 2014 in the Beckley and Charleston areas. In the Beckley area, Green passed counterfeit bills at several businesses, including businesses in the Crossroads Mall, as well as at K-Mart at the Plaza Mall off Robert C. Byrd Drive. In Charleston, Green passed counterfeit bills at K-Mart on MacCorkle Avenue.

As a result of this investigation, three other women have been sentenced for their roles in the counterfeiting scheme. Nyteria Green, of Columbus and the half-sister of co-defendant Paula Green, was sentenced in December 2015 to three years in federal prison. O’wynn Rogers, of Beckley, was sentenced in December 2015 to one year in federal prison. Nyteria Green and Rogers both admitted to passing counterfeit $100 bills in April 2014 at several businesses around Beckley, including businesses in the Crossroads Mall, as well as at the IHOP on Harper Road. Kenyata Smith, of Beckley, was sentenced in October 2015 to two years of probation for passing counterfeit money in April 2014 at a Dairy Queen in Beaver.

The investigation of these cases was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Milton man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty today to possession of over 600 images of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Mark Allen Angle, 47, entered his guilty plea in federal court to the child pornography crime.

Angle admitted that on March 19, 2015, he possessed images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were contained on his personal computer and multiple media devices found at his residence in Milton. The investigation revealed that Angle was using peer-to-peer file sharing programs to download, receive, and distribute child pornography. The court scheduled sentencing for May 31, 2016.

The West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution. The hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Logan County woman was sentenced to five years of probation, with five months of this sentence to be served on home incarceration, and ordered to pay $188,665 in restitution for a preparing fraudulent tax returns, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Maria Antoinette Martin, 64, of Chapmanville, previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal tax crime.

From 2011 through 2013, Martin admitted to preparing 43 fraudulent tax returns from her home. She falsely claimed Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits for her clients, knowing her clients did not qualify for these inflated tax credits. Martin also knew that falsely claiming these tax credits would increase the amount of federal income tax refunds for her clients. Once Martin electronically filed the returns, she received the tax refunds by direct deposit in bank accounts designated by her. Martin then split the tax refunds with her clients. As a result of her fraud, the United States Treasury paid $188,665 in fraudulent refunds. 

The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation unit conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two men were sentenced today for federal drug crimes for their roles in trafficking pain pills from California to West Virginia, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Lawrence Ray Bennett, 31, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison. Peter B. McKinley, Jr., 33, of Princeton, was sentenced to three years and a month in federal prison. Both Bennett and McKinley previously pleaded guilty in late 2015 to conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone.

Bennett admitted that from July 2014 to September 2015, he mailed packages of pain pills from Los Angeles to McKinley in Mercer County. McKinley admitted that he sold the pills in the Bluefield and Princeton areas, and then mailed packages containing a portion of the drug proceeds back to Bennett in California. During the investigation of the case, agents seized over 2,500 hydromorphone pills and approximately $19,000 in cash.  

The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the United States Postal Service investigated the case. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two defendants appeared today in federal court in Charleston on heroin charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Antoine Maurice Brown, 32, of Charleston, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for distribution of heroin. Brown previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to the federal drug crime. Brown admitted that on June 26, 2013, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place in the 7-Eleven parking lot on Washington Street, East, in Charleston.

Michael Shepard, 23, of Beckley, pleaded guilty to distributing heroin. Shepard admitted that on January 7, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant cooperating with law enforcement. The drug deal took place on Hartley Avenue in Beckley. Shepard faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on June 8, 2016.

The investigation of Brown was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation of Shepard. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The former president of Freedom Industries was sentenced today to 30 days in federal prison, to be followed by a six-month term of supervised release, and a $20,000 fine for environmental crimes connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and negligently violating an environmental permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Southern became associated with Freedom in 2009 and joined its board of directors in March 2010. He became president of Freedom in December 2013, and was serving as Freedom’s president at the time of the chemical spill. In these capacities, Southern was a responsible corporate officer of Freedom from at least March 2010 through January 9, 2014, with the responsibility and the authority to ensure that Freedom and its facility on the Elk River complied with the law.

Freedom had a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and implementation of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Southern admitted that he was aware of the permit and that he should have known that Freedom was required to have a storm water plan. He further admitted that he had the responsibility and authority to ensure that Freedom complied with the permit by having a storm water and groundwater plan in place. During Southern’s tenure as a responsible corporate officer, Freedom never developed or implemented a storm water or groundwater plan. Southern’s negligence in failing to ensure that Freedom developed and implemented a storm water and groundwater plan was a proximate and contributing cause of the chemical spill.

“We are pleased to bring these cases to conclusion,” said Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. “Many thought that those responsible for contaminating our water would never see the inside of a courtroom, but six individuals and Freedom Industries now stand convicted and have been sentenced for the offenses that they committed. It is my hope that these prosecutions will serve as a message to others that we will follow the evidence, charge the cases that are developed, and hold those responsible accountable to the extent permitted by law.” 

Southern is one of seven defendants that have been sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, who worked as an environmental consultant with Freedom, was sentenced on February 1, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant. Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, a former owner and vice president of Freedom, was sentenced on February 2, 2016, for unlawfully discharging refuse matter. Freedom, as a corporation, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and knowingly violating an environmental permit. Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, a former plant manager for Freedom’s facility on the Elk River, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant. William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, a former owner and secretary of Freedom, was sentenced on February 8, 2016, for unlawfully discharging refuse matter. Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, a former Freedom president and owner, was sentenced on February 11, 2016, for unlawfully discharging refuse matter and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, handled the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentences for each of the defendants.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Clay County man was sentenced today to eight years and four months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Lloyd Ellis Rapp, 44, of Duck, previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to the federal gun crime.

Rapp admitted that on June 15, 2015, he was fleeing on his motorcycle from the West Virginia State Police. The high-speed chase ended with Rapp wrecking his motorcycle. After the wreck, he was arrested and law enforcement found Rapp in possession of a Hi-Point Model C-9, 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Rapp was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2008 felony conviction in United States District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, for distribution of methamphetamine.

The West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man was sentenced today to two years and three months in federal prison for distribution of heroin and crack, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. James Miller Johnson, III, 27, previously pleaded guilty in September 2015 to the federal drug and gun charges.  

Johnson admitted that on August 14, 2014, he sold heroin and crack in Parkersburg to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. When Johnson was arrested on the drug charge near Vienna on November 19, 2014, law enforcement found Johnson with a Colt .45 Gold Cup National Match semiautomatic pistol. Johnson was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2009 felony conviction in Logan County, Ohio, for drug possession.

The Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force, the Vienna Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

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

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A South Point, Ohio, man who participated in a heroin conspiracy in 2014 and 2015 was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dustin S. Barton, 19, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to distributing heroin. Barton was the seventh participant in the drug scheme to be sentenced.

From the summer of 2014 to January 2015, Barton participated in a conspiracy led by Kenneth E. Baxter that transported heroin from Detroit to Huntington for distribution. Once in Huntington, Barton assisted Sean L. Gist and Ramone L. Wells by transporting heroin to various locations and distributing heroin to customers when directed by Gist and Wells. On January 28, 2015, Barton met with a confidential informant at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington and distributed heroin to the informant on behalf of Gist.

Multiple defendants have been convicted of drug offenses as a result of the investigation. Those sentenced to federal prison include Baxter, who was sentenced to seven years and three months; Coty S. Richardson, who was sentenced to five years and ten months; Gist, who was sentenced to five years and three months; Wells, who was sentenced to four years; and Pricilla Lee Dylan, who was sentenced to two years and nine months. Paul A. Roberts, Jr., was sentenced to five years of probation for assisting the group in securing a residence to conduct drug deals. 

Also as part of this drug investigation, Warren G. Howard, Jr., pleaded guilty in December 2015 to distributing heroin. Howard faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on March 7, 2016.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the United States Postal Service, the West Virginia State Police, and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Several West Virginians have contacted the United States Attorney’s Office about robocalls fraudulently claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and demanding immediate payment, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. These calls are not from the IRS, and are merely another scam carried out by criminals. The robocalls often contain aggressive language, insist on payment within an hour of the call, and threaten punishment if back taxes are not paid.

“These IRS phone scams can happen any time, not just around tax season, and people need to be wary. Criminals will use any trick to swindle honest people out of their hard-earned money, including phone calls to the home.” said Acting United States Attorney Casto. “We will continue working with the IRS to hold these criminals accountable and help West Virginians protect their personal and financial information.”

Be aware that many of these IRS phone scams use intimidating or bullying language to get payment for back taxes. The IRS will not contact you to demand immediate payment, and will not call you prior to sending a bill by mail. The IRS will also not demand that you pay your taxes a certain way or ask for credit card numbers over the phone. Most importantly, a legitimate call from the IRS will not threaten to have police arrest you for not paying.

Remember, if you think you owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and IRS workers can provide assistance. If you get one of these scam phone calls, you can contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call at 800-366-4484 or online at www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A South Charleston woman pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Sarah Elizabeth Myers, 28, entered her guilty plea in federal court to the drug charge.

Myers admitted that on May 15, 2015, she traveled to Columbus to pick up a supply of heroin. When she returned to West Virginia, law enforcement stopped her for speeding.  During the stop, officers found over 100 grams of heroin hidden in the rear passenger side door panel. Myers admitted it was her intent to distribute the heroin in the Charleston area.

Myers faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when she is sentenced on May 9, 2016.

The case against Myers was investigated by the South Charleston Police Department and members of the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Four defendants were sentenced today in federal court for drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. 

Jason Treadway, 33, of Beckley, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for using a telephone to facilitate a drug deal. Treadway previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug crime. Treadway admitted that on March 12, 2015, and on May 6, 2015, he used a telephone to arrange heroin deals with a confidential informant. In both instances after arranging the drug deals, Treadway met with the confidential informant and distributed heroin.

Shawn Haines, 43, of Beckley, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for distributing oxycodone. Haines previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug charge. Haines admitted that on October 28, 2014, he distributed oxycodone to a confidential informant cooperating with law enforcement. The drug deal took place on Christopher Drive in Beckley. 

Jamal Johnson, 25, of Beckley, was sentenced to a year and two months in federal prison for distributing cocaine. Johnson previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug crime. Johnson admitted that on June 22, 2015, he sold cocaine to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place on Industrial Drive in Beckley.

Ron Perdue, 54, of Mt. Hope, was sentenced to four years of probation for distributing oxycodone. Perdue previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal drug charge. Perdue admitted that on October 22, 2014, he distributed oxycodone to a confidential informant on Ewart Avenue in Beckley. 

These cases were investigated by the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The sentences were imposed by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former owner of Freedom Industries was sentenced today to 30 days in federal prison, six months of supervised release, and a $20,000 fine for environmental crimes connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, previously pleaded guilty in August 2015 to unlawfully discharging refuse matter and violating an environmental permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Farrell is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Farrell, along with co-defendants Charles E. Herzing and William E. Tis, owned Freedom until December 2013, when they sold their shares to a Pennsylvania corporation. From 2001 until the 2013 sale, Farrell served as the president of Freedom. After the sale, Farrell continued to work at Freedom’s facility on the Elk River and continued to describe himself as president of the company. In his role as a corporate officer, Farrell had the responsibility and the authority to ensure that Freedom and its facility on the Elk River complied with the law.

Freedom had a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and implementation of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Farrell admitted that he was aware of the permit and knew that Freedom was required to have a storm water plan. He further admitted that he had the responsibility to ensure that Freedom complied with the permit by having a storm water and groundwater plan in place. During Farrell’s tenure as a corporate officer, Freedom never developed or implemented a storm water or groundwater plan, which was a proximate and contributing cause of the chemical spill.

Farrell is one of six defendants that have been sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, who worked as an environmental consultant with Freedom, was sentenced on February 1, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant. Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, a former owner and vice president of Freedom, was sentenced on February 2, 2016, for unlawfully discharging refuse matter. Freedom, as a corporation, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and knowingly violating an environmental permit. Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, a former plant manager for Freedom’s facility on the Elk River, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant. William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, a former owner and secretary of Freedom, was sentenced on Monday for unlawfully discharging refuse matter.

Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, the president of Freedom at the time of the spill, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and negligently violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2016.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence, and will preside over the remaining sentencing hearing associated with the chemical spill.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man with several felony convictions who possessed a firearm pleaded guilty today, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dereck Skylar Brown, 33, entered his guilty plea in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On July 4, 2015, Charleston Police Detectives responded to a shooting at a bar on Leon Sullivan Way and observed Brown leaving the bar immediately after they heard several gunshots from inside the bar. Brown appeared to be concealing something in his waistband as he exited the front door of the bar. Brown ignored the detectives’ commands to stop until after he briefly leaned into an unoccupied vehicle parked with its driver side door open. One detective detained Brown while another looked into the vehicle and observed a Colt .380 semiautomatic pistol on the passenger seat of the vehicle.

The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory later identified a fingerprint lifted from the pistol’s magazine as having been made by Brown’s right thumb. Brown was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of his numerous felony convictions, including armed robbery, attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and malicious wounding. 

Three people inside the bar suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds. Through law enforcement’s forensic analysis, Brown was excluded as a suspect in the shooting.

Brown faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 13, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Charleston Police Department Special Enforcement Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory also provided invaluable assistance to the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former owner of Freedom Industries was sentenced today to three years of probation and a $20,000 fine for an environmental crime connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty to unlawfully discharging refuse matter in March 2015. Tis is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Tis, along with co-defendants Dennis P. Farrell and Charles E. Herzing, owned Freedom until December 2013, when they sold their shares to a Pennsylvania corporation. From 2004 until the 2013 sale, Tis served as the secretary of Freedom. In this role, Tis had the responsibility and the authority to ensure that Freedom and its facility on the Elk River complied with the law.

Freedom had a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and maintenance of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Tis admitted that he was aware of the permit and was put on notice that Freedom was required to have a storm water plan. He further admitted that he had the responsibility to ensure that Freedom complied with the permit by having a storm water and groundwater plan in place. During Tis’ tenure as a corporate officer, Freedom never developed a storm water or groundwater plan, which was a contributing cause to the chemical spill.

Tis is one of five defendants that have been sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, who worked as an environmental consultant with Freedom, was sentenced on February 1, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant. Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, a former owner and vice president of Freedom, was sentenced on February 2, 2016, for unlawfully discharging refuse matter. Freedom, as a corporation, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and knowingly violating an environmental permit. Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, a former plant manager for Freedom’s facility on the Elk River, was sentenced on February 4, 2016, for negligently discharging a pollutant.

Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, a former Freedom president and owner, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the Refuse Act and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Farrell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2016.

Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, the president of Freedom at the time of the spill, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2016.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence, and will preside over the remaining sentencing hearings associated with the chemical spill.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man caught smuggling oxycodone through the mail pleaded guilty today, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Kenneth Edward Campbell, 48, entered his guilty plea in federal court to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

On August 23, 2013, the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing oxycodone that had been sent from Detroit to an address in Charleston. An undercover officer posing as a mail carrier delivered the package and confronted the man who accepted delivery. That man told police that Campbell had offered to give him oxycodone if he would allow the drug parcel to be delivered to his residence. Officers used the man to conduct a controlled delivery of the package to Campbell at his place of employment on the West Side of Charleston. Campbell was arrested upon taking possession of the package.

Campbell faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 11, 2016.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Freedom Industries, Inc., and a former plant manager at Freedom Industries were sentenced today for environmental crimes connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Freedom Industries (Freedom) was sentenced to a fine of $900,000, to be paid after all other claims against Freedom are satisfied, for negligently discharging a pollutant, unlawfully discharging refuse matter, and knowingly violating an environmental permit. Freedom has been in bankruptcy since shortly after the chemical spill. Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, was sentenced to three years of probation and a $2,500 fine for negligently discharging a pollutant. Both Freedom and Burdette previously pleaded guilty in March 2015. Burdette is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Freedom had a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and maintenance of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Freedom admitted that it should have taken reasonable steps to ensure that MCHM did not leak into the Elk River. Freedom did not maintain the containment area that was supposed to prevent a chemical spill from reaching the Elk River. Freedom also failed to inspect and maintain the storage tank holding MCHM. In spite of the permit requirements, Freedom also failed to implement and maintain a storm water and groundwater plan. Furthermore, Freedom did not conduct the necessary training to ensure all personnel were working in compliance with environmental laws. When the chemical spill occurred, Freedom did not have adequate spill prevention material on hand and instead, had on hand a mere two bags of absorbent material and no booms or other materials to stem the flow of MCHM. Freedom admitted that its failure in all of these essential areas was a proximate cause of the chemical spill.

Burdette worked as a plant manager for Freedom’s facility on the Elk River. In that role, Burdette was responsible for operating and maintaining Freedom’s facility in a safe manner and in compliance with environmental laws. He was also responsible for making sure the employees he supervised were properly trained in environmental compliance. Burdette admitted he should have known Freedom was required to implement and maintain a storm water and groundwater plan as required by the permit. He also admitted he knew the measures Freedom had in place to handle a chemical spill were inadequate, and that Freedom should have had proper containment structures to contain a spill from the largest storage tank for 72 hours. Burdette further admitted that his failure to implement these required safety measures was a proximate cause of the chemical spill. 

Including Freedom and Burdette, four defendants have been sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, who worked as an environmental consultant with Freedom, was sentenced on Monday for negligently discharging a pollutant. Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, a former owner and vice president of Freedom, was sentenced on Tuesday for unlawfully discharging refuse matter.

William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, a former owner of Freedom, pleaded guilty in March 2015 to the unlawful discharge of refuse matter. Tis is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8, 2016.

Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, a former Freedom president and owner, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the federal Refuse Act and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Farrell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2016.

Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, the president of Freedom at the time of the spill, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the Clean Water Act, unlawfully discharging refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2016.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence, and will preside over the remaining sentencing hearings associated with the chemical spill.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Four defendants appeared in federal court today on drug charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. 

Steven Andrew Short, 30, of Bluefield, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for using a phone to facilitate the distribution of hydromorphone. Short previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to the federal drug crime. Short admitted that on April 8, 2015, he used a phone to help set up a drug deal with a confidential informant working with law enforcement. Later that same day, Short distributed hydromorphone pills to the informant near Rock in Mercer County. Short also admitted that he distributed more than 1800 hydromorphone pills.

Adam Christopher Skeens, 45, of Princeton, pleaded guilty to distribution of hydromorphone, admitting that on February 23, 2015, he distributed hydromorphone pills to a confidential informant in Princeton. Stephen Wayne Steele, 42, of Bluefield, pleaded guilty to distribution of hydromorphone, admitting that on April 7, 2015, he distributed hydromorphone pills to a confidential informant in Green Valley in Mercer County. Terrance Dewayne Hayes, 30, of Welch, pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin, and admitted that on June 16, 2015, he distributed heroin to a confidential informant near Havaco in McDowell County.

Each of the defendants faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when they are sentenced on May 17, 2016.

The cases were investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecutions. The hearings were conducted by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski presented three local law enforcement agencies today with over $1 million in forfeited cash as a result of their participation in a joint investigation of a Barboursville pharmacy owner. Officials from the Charleston Police Department, the Huntington Police Department, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department were on hand to receive the forfeiture awards at a press conference in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charleston.

Several law enforcement agencies worked together on a far-reaching investigation that resulted in the convictions of 19 defendants on federal drug charges, including 15 local drug dealers, two out-of-state drug suppliers, and one local pharmacy owner. The IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Huntington Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officers from the Charleston Police Department, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department jointly investigated the extensive drug conspiracy that stretched from Lincoln County to Florida.

As part of the conspiracy, the drug suppliers illegally filled prescriptions for oxycodone and sent the drugs to Lincoln County for distribution. During a search by law enforcement of the drug suppliers’ home in Florida, agents discovered prescription pill bottles for oxycodone that had been filled at A+ Care Pharmacy in Barboursville. Law enforcement then executed search warrants at A+ Care Pharmacy and at the home of its owner, Kofe Agyekum, and seized over 50,000 oxycodone pills, over $2 million in cash, and a Lexus. Agyekum pleaded guilty and was sentenced to over five years in federal prison. 

“Let me be clear – we will work with every local, state, and federal law enforcement agency and use every available tool to prosecute those who flood West Virginia with drugs. As we proved in this case, we will travel beyond our state’s borders to bring them to justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Casto. “I want to thank the law enforcement agencies that worked as a team to investigate this case. These forfeiture assets will be used by law enforcement to continue this fight and make our communities safer.”

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A White Sulphur Springs woman and a Beckley felon were sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. The sentences were imposed by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

Paula Kay Butts, 51, of White Sulphur Springs, was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison for using a phone to facilitate methamphetamine distribution. Butts previously pleaded guilty in November 2015 to the federal drug crime. Butts admitted that on June 27, 2015, while in White Sulphur Springs, she texted a confidential informant working with law enforcement to arrange a drug deal. Later that day, Butts met the informant and distributed methamphetamine.

Leon Eugene Smith, Jr., 35, of Beckley, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. Smith previously pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the federal gun crime. Smith was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearm because of a 2005 felony conviction in federal court for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  

The case against Butts was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force as part of the Greenbrier Valley Heroin and Pill Initiative, a multi-agency effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office to combat drug trafficking in communities across the Southern District of West Virginia.

The case against Smith was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beckley Police Department as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A McDowell County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney pleaded guilty today to a federal tax crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto.  Jason Ray Grubb, 38, of Beaver, entered his guilty plea in federal court to failing to pay employment taxes.

Grubb admitted that while working as a lawyer in private practice, he had an employee from whom he withheld taxes. Instead of withholding and paying those taxes as required under federal law, he kept the money and did not pay the Internal Revenue Service. Grubb also admitted that he failed to pay personal income taxes for a number of years, and that he falsified vouchers sent to West Virginia Public Defender Services, including 51 days on which he billed for over 24 hours of work. Grubb has agreed to pay restitution for his failure to pay over $247,000 in federal taxes, overbilling Public Defender Services more than $126,000, and not paying a financing company, Daniels Capital Corporation, for more than $29,000 in advances.

He faces up to five years in federal prison and a $10,000 fine when he is sentenced on May 12, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith George Thomas and Eric Bacaj handled the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of over 600 images and videos of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced. Kevin Wayne Davis, 49, entered his guilty plea today in federal court.

Davis admitted that on November 5, 2014, he possessed images and videos of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images and videos were contained on his personal computer, and multiple media devices found at his residence in Parkersburg.  The investigation revealed that Davis was using peer-to-peer file sharing programs to download, receive and distribute child pornography.  The court scheduled sentencing for May 10, 2016.

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

This case is being prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney's ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski will present several local law enforcement agencies with over $1 million in forfeited assets from an investigation of a Barboursville pharmacy owner. The presentation of the forfeiture awards will take place at a press conference in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston at 10:00 A.M.

The agencies receiving a share of the forfeiture for their role in the investigation are the Charleston Police Department, the Huntington Police Department, and the Boone County Sheriff's Department. Their successful investigation helped stop the illegal pain pill distribution at A+ Care Pharmacy in Barboursville and resulted in federal prison time for the pharmacy owner, as well as the forfeiture of significant cash derived from the criminal activity.

Forfeiture proceeds are shared with law enforcement agencies as a result of their direct participation in investigations resulting in forfeiture. This event will recognize the work of these local law enforcement agencies that keeps drugs out of our communities and puts the forfeited assets to good use.

WHO:  Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto
Assistant United States Attorney Monica Coleman
IRS Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski
Supervisory Special Agent Jason Gandee

WHAT:  Press conference to announce significant forfeiture awards to local law enforcement agencies 

WHERE:  U.S. Attorney's Office – large conference room
Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse 
300 Virginia Street, East, Room 4000
Charleston, WV  25301

WHEN:    Wednesday, February 3, 2015, at 10 A.M.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former owner of Freedom Industries was sentenced today to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for a Refuse Act violation connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty in March 2015 to unlawfully discharging refuse matter. Herzing is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Herzing, along with co-defendants Dennis P. Farrell and William E. Tis, owned Freedom until December 2013, when they sold their shares to a Pennsylvania corporation. From 2004 until the 2013 sale, Herzing served as the Vice President of Freedom. In this role, Herzing had the responsibility and the authority to ensure that Freedom and its facility on the Elk River complied with the law. 

Freedom had a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and maintenance of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Herzing admitted that he was aware of the permit and was put on notice that Freedom was required to have a storm water plan. He further admitted that he had the responsibility to ensure that Freedom complied with the permit by having a storm water and groundwater plan in place. During Herzing's tenure as a corporate officer, Freedom never developed a storm water or groundwater plan, which was a contributing cause to the chemical spill.

Herzing is the second defendant sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, who worked as an environmental consultant with Freedom, was sentenced yesterday for a Clean Water Act violation.

Freedom itself, which has been in bankruptcy since shortly after the chemical spill, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act, the unlawful discharge of refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating an environmental permit. Freedom is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2016.

William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, a former owner of Freedom, pleaded guilty in March 2015 to the unlawful discharge of refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act. Tis is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8, 2016.

Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, a plant manager for Freedom, pleaded guilty in March 2015 to violating the Clean Water Act by negligently discharging a pollutant, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2016.

Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, a former Freedom president and owner, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the federal Refuse Act and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Farrell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2016.

Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, the president of Freedom at the time of the spill, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the Clean Water Act, unlawfully discharging refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2016.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence, and will preside over the remaining sentencing hearings associated with the chemical spill.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to a federal heroin crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Thomas Jarrell, 20, entered his guilty plea in federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin. 

Jarrell admitted that on October 1, 2015, at his Georges Creek residence in Malden, he possessed heroin that he intended to distribute. Agents of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team seized the drugs during the execution of a search warrant at Jarrell’s home.

Jarrell faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on May 4, 2016.

The investigation of Jarrell was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Three men who conspired to distributed heroin in 2014 and 2015 were sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Cordell Lopasker McCarrall, Jr., 22, of Detroit, was sentenced to three years and a month in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Roger Lee Black, 34, of Barboursville, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for distribution of heroin. Alan R. Nolan, 36, of Chesapeake, Ohio, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for distribution of heroin.

From November 2014 to April 2015, McCarrall, Black, and Nolan conspired to distribute heroin in the Huntington area. McCarrall frequently supplied heroin to Black during this time period. Black would distribute the heroin with the assistance of Nolan. On February 26, 2015, a confidential informant working at the direction of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) contacted Black to arrange the purchase of heroin. Black met the informant and drove the informant to Black’s residence located at 21 Vincent Street in Barboursville. Inside the residence, Black distributed approximately 10 grams of heroin to the informant in exchange for $1,200. 

On March 3, 2015, a confidential informant again contacted Black to arrange another drug deal. Black and Nolan met the informant in the parking lot of a car dealership near Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington, where Nolan distributed approximately 10 grams of heroin to the informant in exchange for $1,200.

On April 2, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence located at 2017 9th Avenue in Huntington. During the execution of the warrant, McCarrall ran from the residence and was quickly caught. As a result of the search, law enforcement discovered approximately 90 grams of heroin, $6,700 in cash, paraphernalia used to distribute heroin, and a magnetic concealment box commonly used to transport heroin. McCarrall admitted that he possessed and intended to sell the heroin seized from the residence.

All three men admitted that they were responsible for distributing up to 700 grams of heroin during the conspiracy. Black also admitted that he possessed multiple firearms during the conspiracy.

The DEA Task Force and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Nicholas County man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty today to possessing images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Derrick Young, 33, of Nallen, West Virginia, entered his guilty plea in federal court to the child pornography crime.

Young admitted that on May 21, 2014, he possessed images and videos of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images and videos were contained on his personal cell phone located at his residence in Nallen.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2016. Young faces a fine of up to $250,000, a lifetime period of supervised release, mandatory registration as a sex offender, possible restitution to the victims of his offense, and the forfeiture of computers and cell phones that contained the child pornography.

The Department of Homeland Security and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution. The defendant entered his plea before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A former official of Freedom Industries was sentenced today to three years of probation and a $10,000 fine for a Clean Water Act violation connected to the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Robert J. Reynolds, of Apex, North Carolina, previously pleaded guilty in federal court to negligently discharging a pollutant in March 2015. Reynolds is one of six former officials of Freedom Industries, in addition to Freedom Industries itself as a corporation, to be prosecuted for federal crimes associated with the chemical spill.

On January 9, 2014, a major chemical leak was discovered in Charleston at the above-ground storage tank area owned and operated by Freedom Industries (Freedom) on the Elk River. Freedom used these storage tanks to keep and process chemicals, and the leak consisted primarily of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a chemical used in the coal mining industry as a cleansing agent. A significant amount of MCHM leaked into the Elk River, flowed into a water treatment plant, and contaminated the water supply of Charleston and the surrounding areas for several days. Freedom did not have a permit required by law that would have allowed the company to discharge MCHM into the Elk River.

Beginning in 2002, Reynolds worked with Freedom as an environmental consultant and was responsible for developing and maintaining pollution prevention plans. Reynolds admitted that he should have developed and maintained a storm water pollution prevention plan and a groundwater protection plan for the MCHM storage tanks that could have prevented the chemical spill. Freedom did have a permit issued by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection that allowed for the discharge of storm water and groundwater subject to monitoring and reporting requirements. However, this permit did not allow for the discharge of MCHM, and required the development and maintenance of a storm water plan and a groundwater plan. Generally, storm water and groundwater plans identify potential sources of pollution and outline steps to prevent, contain, and reduce pollutants.

Reynolds admitted that he should have known of this requirement. He also admitted that while there was no storm water or groundwater plan in place at Freedom’s facility on the Elk River, there were such plans implemented at another facility operated by Freedom in Nitro. Reynolds even provided training to Freedom’s employees at the Nitro facility on its plans, despite the absence of similar plans at Freedom’s facility by the Elk River.

Reynolds knew of and should have appreciated the hazards associated with MCHM and the need to take reasonable steps to ensure that it did not spill into the Elk River. Reynolds admitted that he carried out his duties without due care for regulatory and environmental compliance, and that his failure to implement a storm water plan was a proximate cause of the 2014 chemical spill of MCHM.

Reynolds is the first defendant sentenced as part of the investigation into the chemical spill. Freedom itself, which has been in bankruptcy since shortly after the chemical spill, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act, the unlawful discharge of refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating an environmental permit. Freedom is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2016.

Charles E. Herzing, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, and William E. Tis, of Verona, Pennsylvania, former owners of Freedom, each pleaded guilty in March 2015 to the unlawful discharge of refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act. Herzing is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2016. Tis is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8, 2016.

Michael E. Burdette, of Dunbar, a plant manager for Freedom, pleaded guilty in March 2015 to violating the Clean Water Act by negligently discharging a pollutant, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 4, 2016.

Dennis P. Farrell, of Charleston, a former Freedom president and owner, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the federal Refuse Act and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Farrell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2016.

Gary Southern, of Marco Island, Florida, the president of Freedom at the time of the spill, pleaded guilty in August 2015 to violating the Clean Water Act, negligently discharging refuse matter in violation of the Refuse Act, and violating a permit by failing to have a pollution prevention plan. Southern is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17, 2016.

The investigation of the chemical spill was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip H. Wright, Larry R. Ellis, and Eric P. Bacaj, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Perry D. McDaniel, are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence, and will preside over the remaining sentencing hearings associated with the chemical spill.

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Rand drug dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal heroin crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Marcus Manchion, 27, entered his guilty plea in federal court to distribution of heroin. 

Manchion admitted that on March 3, 2015, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. The drug deal took place on the 5000 block of Church Drive in Rand. Manchion also admitted to selling heroin to a confidential informant on three other occasions in March of 2015. On April 16, 2015, officers executed a search warrant on Manchion’s house in Rand and recovered over 80 grams of heroin and a Glock Model 37 pistol. 

Manchion faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $1 million when he is sentenced on April 28, 2016.

The case was investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. The hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced that a Lewisburg man was sentenced today to a year and nine months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone. Miles Gregory, 42, previously pleaded guilty to the federal drug charge in November of 2015.   

Gregory admitted that on July 2, 2015, he was carrying 279 hydrocodone pills and 25 oxycodone pills in his vehicle. Law enforcement discovered the drugs in Gregory’s car during a traffic stop near Lewisburg. Gregory was also sentenced today to two years in federal prison for possessing the drugs while he was on supervised release after he served a prison sentence for a 2010 felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute crack. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. 

The case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, and the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston heroin and crack dealer pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Donovan Hardison, 25, entered his guilty plea in federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack.

Hardison admitted that on May 8, 2015, when he was arrested by agents of the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, he had heroin and crack concealed in his sock that he intended to sell. Hardison also admitted that on several occasions in early 2015, he sold heroin and crack in the Charleston area to confidential informants working with the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Hardison further admitted that prior to the drug deals, he often stored the heroin and crack in his residence on 2nd Street in Charleston. 

Hardison faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on April 27, 2016.

The investigation of Hardison was conducted by the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is handling the prosecution. Hardison entered his plea before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced that two heroin dealers were sentenced today on federal drug charges.

Andre Luke Perryman, 24, of Detroit, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin. Perryman previously pleaded guilty to the federal drug crime in October of 2015. On December 10, 2014, officers with the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit used a confidential informant to purchase heroin from Perryman. The informant called Perryman’s co-defendant, Robert James Bellamy, to set up the drug deal, which occurred at Rite Aid on Rebecca Street in Charleston. After the drug deal, law enforcement arrested Perryman. He admitted that he had come to Charleston from Detroit in July of 2014, and since his arrival he had been working with Bellamy to sell heroin in the area. Perryman further admitted that he and Bellamy distributed over 250 grams of heroin during that time period. Bellamy has pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 23, 2016.

As the result of a separate investigation, Devonte L. Andrews, 23, of Charleston, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for distribution of heroin. Andrews previously pleaded guilty in October of 2015 to the federal drug charge. Andrews admitted that on August 26, 2014, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit. The drug deal took place on 21st Street in Charleston.

The investigation of Perryman and Bellamy was conducted by the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is handling the prosecution of both Perryman and Bellamy. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed Perryman’s sentence. 

The Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation of Andrews. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail is in charge of the prosecution. Andrews’ sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to a drug charge for her role in a heroin conspiracy, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Charon Chere Harris, 36, entered her guilty plea to maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing heroin.

During May and June of 2015, Harris leased an apartment located at 2736 Rear 4th Avenue in Huntington. The terms of the lease provided that Harris would be the tenant of the apartment for a year beginning in May of 2015. However, Harris never resided in the apartment and actually leased it for the purpose of allowing Eddie William Randall, of Detroit, to reside there and distribute heroin that was transported from Detroit to the Huntington area.

On June 25, 2015, officers with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the apartment. During the search, officers seized approximately 40 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia, a loaded 9mm pistol, and $13,030 in cash. During the search of another residence in Huntington on 25th Street, also identified through the investigation, officers seized approximately 280 grams of heroin and a loaded .45 caliber pistol. Randall admitted that he possessed the heroin from both residences for distribution and that he possessed the guns in an effort to protect himself from theft or robbery of heroin or cash.

Harris faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $500,000 when she is sentenced on April 25, 2016. Randall previously pleaded guilty and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 11, 2016. 

The investigation was conducted by the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, the Huntington Police Department, and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecutions. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Culloden drug dealer who sold heroin with his family from his home was sentenced today in federal court to three and a half years in prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Sanford Dale Cremeans, 45, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin in October of 2015.

From early 2014 to May of 2015, Sanford Dale Cremeans and his wife, Toni Cremeans, along with their son, Shawn Cremeans, conspired to sell heroin from their residence at 2246 3rd Street in Culloden. On December 2, 2014, a confidential informant working with law enforcement contacted Shawn Cremeans to arrange a heroin purchase. The informant traveled to the Cremeans’ residence and met with Shawn and Sanford Cremeans while they waited for Toni Cremeans to arrive with additional heroin. Once Toni Cremeans arrived, the informant paid Shawn Cremeans and received the heroin from Sanford Cremeans. Sanford Cremeans admitted that he assisted in the sale of heroin from the family residence on numerous other occasions and was responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin.

Toni Cremeans previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin and faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when she is sentenced on March 28, 2016. Shawn Cremeans previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin and also faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on March 7, 2016.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation of the Cremeans family. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecutions. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

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

• Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews