Southern District of West Virginia

Note: The consent order is available here: Pauley Consent Order

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                CRT
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014                                                                        (202) 514-2007
WWW.JUSTICE.GOV                                                                                    TTY (866) 544-5309

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that developer Douglas Pauley and entities affiliated with him have agreed to pay $110,000 and make approximately $1.7 million in retrofits required to remove accessibility barriers at 30 apartment complexes, involving more than 750 units in West Virginia.  The parties’ agreement will settle the United States’ claims that defendants had violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by building the complexes with a variety of features that made them inaccessible to persons with disabilities.  The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia approved the settlement yesterday.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pauley, as General Partner of 30 limited liability partnerships, must take extensive actions to make the complexes accessible to persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.  These corrective actions include replacing excessively sloped portions of sidewalks, installing properly sloped curb ramps to allow persons with disabilities to access the sidewalks from the parking areas, replacing cabinets in bathrooms and kitchens to provide sufficient room for wheelchair users, and reducing door threshold heights.  In addition, defendants will pay $100,000 to establish a settlement fund for the purpose of compensating individuals with disabilities who have been impacted by the accessibility violations and $10,000 as a civil penalty.

“The Fair Housing Act protects the rights of persons with disabilities to have equal opportunities to enjoy the housing of their choice,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division. “And this comprehensive resolution will ensure equal access to persons with disabilities at 30 apartment complexes and will compensate those injured by the failure to provide accessible housing.” 

“Housing is a fundamental human need, and it’s deeply unfair to deny persons with disabilities equal access to it,” said Booth Goodwin, United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.  “Thanks to this case, the developer will be required to devote nearly $2 million to correcting and compensating for the harm that he and his companies have caused.  That’s an important victory for West Virginians with disabilities.”

Individuals who are entitled to share in the settlement fund will be identified through a process established in the settlement.  Notices of the settlement and a list of subject properties will be published in the Charleston Gazette.  Persons who believe they were subjected to unlawful discrimination at one of those properties either when they lived there or considered living there should contact the Justice Department toll-free at 1-800-896-7743 mailbox # 9993 or e-mail the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov. 

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability.  More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt.  Individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Housing Discrimination Line at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.

U.S. Attorney also welcomes selection of new Huntington police chief

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin today announced that Huntington has been awarded $100,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice.  The grant funding is being provided as part of the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program.  The award is a planning grant under which a strategic, collaborative and community-oriented plan will be designed to reduce crime in a specific neighborhood or target area.  The city will use the grant to attack crime in downtown Huntington, in an area stretching from 18th Street to 1st Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard to 7th Avenue.

U.S. Attorney Goodwin also welcomed today's announcement that Joe Ciccarelli has been selected as Huntington's new police chief. "I have known and worked with Joe Ciccarelli for many years during his time as a special agent with the FBI," Goodwin said. "He has long been a leader in the law enforcement community in southern West Virginia. Joe has a unique ability to bring agencies together in pursuit of a common goal. Mayor Williams made a great choice.

"Former Chief Skip Holbrook made invaluable and lasting contributions to the city of Huntington and its police department," Goodwin continued. "I was fortunate to work with him and the department on many initiatives to help fight crime in Huntington.  I look forward to continuing that productive partnership and making it even stronger. "

U.S. ATTORNEY GOODWIN, U.S. MARSHAL FOSTER AND OFFICIALS WITH STATE POLICE TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY CHECKS IN KANAWHA COUNTY

Charleston, W.Va. – U. S. Attorney Booth Goodwin will join U.S. Marshal John Foster and West Virginia State Police officials to announce the results of a sex offender registry check operation in Kanawha County.

                                                WHERE:             U.S. Marshal’s Office
                                                                                Robert C. Byrd Courthouse
                                                                                300 Virginia Street East
                                                                                Charleston, WV

                                                WHEN:                  10 A.M., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

Click here to view the Press Conference Announcement

Charleston, W.Va. – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, U.S. Marshal John Foster and West Virginia State Police First Lieutenant Michael Baylous announced today that as a result of a four-day law enforcement operation aimed at verifying compliance of more than 411 registered sex offenders currently residing in Kanawha County, 24 offenders were found to be out of compliance.  

The initiative, dubbed Operation C4 (Capitol City Compliance Checks), is a multi-agency law enforcement effort targeting registered sex offenders to determine individual compliance with the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act, or SORNA.  Led by the U.S. Marshal’s Sex Offender Investigations Branch, Operation C4 targeted 411 registered sex offenders and found 387 to be in compliance.  A total of 24 offenders were found out of compliance during the checks conducted on September 22-25.  Warrants were issued for 20 offenders, and of those 12 have already been arrested.  Operation C4 revealed that seven sex offenders had absconded.  Deputy U.S. Marshals, along with West Virginia State Troopers, will continue their investigation until those violators are found.

“The prosecution of sex offenders remains one of my office’s top priorities.  These sweeps are an important step in bringing to justice those offenders who have not registered as required by law, and who continue to pose a threat to the communities in which they hide,” said U. S. Attorney Goodwin.

Operation C4 was initiated by members of the West Virginia State Police, in cooperation with the U.S. Marshal’s Service Sex Offender Investigations Branch for the Southern District of West Virginia.  U. S. Marshal John Foster stated, “The U.S. Marshal’s Service will continue conducting these sweeps and tracking down sex offenders who are not in compliance with the law.”

Through this and previous regional sweeps throughout the Southern District of West Virginia, a combined total of more than 1,250 offender compliance checks have been conducted. 

The Sex Offender Registration Notification Act (SORNA) is a part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.  SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States.

These sweeps are conducted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/PSCpage.html.

National Rx Take Back Day Scheduled for September 27, 10a.m. to 2p.m.

Charleston, W.Va. – U. S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Resident Agent in Charge Suzan Williamson today encouraged West Virginians to continue their support for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative which has removed over 14 tons of prescription drugs from homes throughout West Virginia and more than 2,100 tons of pills nationwide as a result of eight such events to date.  The ninth National Prescription Drug Take-Back event is scheduled for this Saturday, September 27th from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at various locations throughout the state. 

Medicines that languish in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.  “Great strides have been made in reducing the supply of illegal prescription drugs on streets throughout West Virginia.  One of the big reasons why supplies have dropped is because West Virginians have come together for each of the previous eight take-back events to properly dispose of their unneeded medications, ultimately keeping them out of the wrong hands.”

Resident Agent in Charge Williamson commended all of the federal, state and local partners in West Virginia for their assistance. Noting that there are over 120 collection sites participating in Saturday’s event, Williamson stated, “It is the assistance of all of our law enforcement partners that continues to make Prescription Drug Take-Back events so successful in West Virginia.”

The Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative is coordinated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.  For a full list of take back locations offered on Saturday, September 27th,, go to www.dea.gov.  Drop-offs are accepted with no questions asked.

Bluefield, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Michael Devon Harmon, 36, of Princeton, was sentenced today in federal court in Bluefield to 9 years in federal prison for distribution of hydromorphone.  Harmon pled guilty in May of 2014, admitting that on July 24, 2013, he sold two hydromorphone pills to a confidential informant in Princeton.  Harmon also admitted that in addition to hydromorphone, he distributed cocaine base and cocaine to the informant during the summer of 2013. 

Marvin Gillespie, 62, of Bluefield, also appeared in federal court in Bluefield and pled guilty to distribution of hydromorphone.  Gillespie admitted that on February 6, 2014, he sold two hydromorphone pills to a confidential informant in Bluefield.  Gillespie faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when he is sentenced on January 27, 2015.

These cases were investigated by the Southern West Virginia Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution.  These cases 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 opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Cheryl Gray, 44, of Hilltop, West Virginia was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to one year and one day in federal prison for mail fraud involving concealed weapons permits.  Gray is a former employee of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department where her duties included the collection of application fees for concealed weapons permits, and creating and submitting a list of permits issued by Fayette County to the West Virginia State Police.  Gray previously pled guilty to mail fraud in June of 2014.  At the plea hearing, Gray admitted that she stole the cash payments made by applicants for concealed weapons permits.  She hid the theft by creating incomplete applicant lists and submitting them to the West Virginia State Police, omitting close to 400 names of applicants who had paid in cash. The fraud, which continued for more than six months, resulted in a combined loss to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and West Virginia State Police of approximately $40,000.

The West Virginia State Police, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

Defendant was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man who distributed heroin in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 2013 was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Marion Alonvo Felder, 30, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, previously pleaded guilty in May of 2014 to distribution of heroin.

On three occasions in September and October 2013, Felder sold heroin to an informant working with police in Parkersburg.  Felder admitted coming to Parkersburg from Marion, Ohio in early 2013 to sell heroin.  Felder’s case was part of a larger investigation into heroin being brought from Chicago, Illinois and Marion, Ohio to be sold in and around Parkersburg. 

The Parkersburg Police Department and the Washington County, Ohio Major Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Joey Jamal Braggs, 30, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty in federal court in Huntington to a charge of distribution of oxymorphone.  On July 25, 2014, a confidential informant working with law enforcement, contacted Eric Silverstein to arrange the purchase of 10 40-milligram oxymorphone pills.  Silverstein drove the confidential informant to the 1400 block of 4th Avenue in Silverstein's vehicle.   Braggs then met Silverstein and the confidential informant and got into the back seat of Silverstein's car where the drug transaction took place.  Braggs sold the confidential informant 10 oxymorphone pills in exchange for $600.  On July 28, 2014, Braggs made an additional sale of oxymorphone to the confidential informant, with Silverstein again serving as the middle man.  Silverstein has been indicted for his role in the drug conspiracy and is awaiting trial scheduled for November 13, 2014, in federal court in Huntington.

Braggs faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on January 12, 2015.

This case was investigated by the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.  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 and heroin trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District. 

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Teruko Miller, 29, of Beckley, West Virginia was sentenced today to one year in federal prison for distribution of heroin.  Miller previously pled guilty in June of 2014, to selling heroin to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Stanaford Road in Beckley, West Virginia. 

This case was investigated by the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.  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 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.

Defendant was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger.

Forty-count Indictment Alleges Drug Distribution and Money Laundering

Huntington, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Kofe Ohene Agyekum appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl A. Eifert yesterday for an arraignment on a forty-count indictment charging him with drug distribution and money laundering. Agyekum pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The indictment, returned on September 10, 2014, by a federal grand jury sitting in Huntington, alleges that Agyekum was the director and president of KAYPAT Medical Inc., which did business as A+ Care Pharmacy, located in Barboursville, West Virginia. Agyekum was employed at A+ Pharmacy as a pharmacist intern.

Count One of the indictment alleges that Agyekum conspired to unlawfully distribute oxycodone and hydromorphone from August 2013 through July 2014. Counts Two through Four of the indictment allege that Agyekum unlawfully distributed oxycodone and hydromorphone on specific days in June and July of 2014. The remaining thirty-five counts in the indictment allege that Agyekum engaged in money laundering by depositing cash proceeds from the drug conspiracies at various banks in Barboursville with the intent of concealing the source of the cash.

The indictment also seeks to forfeit more than $2 million in cash and a luxury vehicle.

The case has been assigned to Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. The trial date has been set for November 18, 2014.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is responsible for the prosecution.

Note: An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Illegal Immigrant was Deported After Felony Drug Conviction

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Jorge Leonardo Reyes-Figueroa, 26, from Honduras plead guilty today in federal court in Charleston to the charge of illegal reentry into the United States following deportation. 

In 2010, Reyes-Figueroa, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was convicted in Adams County, Colorado of a felony drug offense involving heroin distribution.  Following the criminal conviction, Reyes-Figueroa was deported to Honduras.  Sometime thereafter, Reyes-Figueroa illegally reentered the United States.  In May of 2014, officers with the West Virginia State Police found Reyes-Figueroa living in Ripley, West Virginia. 

Reyes-Figueroa faces up to twenty years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 when sentenced on November 18, 2014.  He is also subject to deportation from the United States back to Honduras.

The West Virginia State Police and the United States Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States of America.  

Conspirators Transported Prescription Drugs from Florida to Charleston in Bi-monthly Trips

Charleston, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that David Frizzell, age 44, of Columbus, Ohio, plead guilty today in federal court in Charleston for his role in a conspiracy to distribute hydrocodone.  Frizzell admitted that from early 2010 through October of 2011, he arranged bi-monthly trips for himself and others to obtain Lortab tablets, which contain hydrocodone, from various pharmacies in Florida.  Some of the drugs were brought back to Charleston to be sold.  Frizzell paid the travel expenses and provided the transportation for the trips. 

Frizzell faces up to ten years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine when he sentenced December 18, 2014.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) was responsible for the investigation of Frizzell and others involved in the conspiracy.

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. 

*****MEDIA ADVISORY*****

Event to Honor Outstanding Service and Achievement of Law Enforcement, Community Leaders, Among Others

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –United States Attorney Booth Goodwin will host the 2014 Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards ceremony on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014, AT NOON, at the Glade Springs Resort in Daniels, West Virginia. 

The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, recognizes exemplary service of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, as well as other leaders who have made significant contributions on behalf of the criminal justice system.  In addition, several nominees chosen as part of the victim advocacy category will be honored for outstanding efforts, vision and/or leadership in support of crime victims.

WHO: U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, joined by various representatives from the law enforcement community and community leaders; WHAT: Annual Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Awards ceremony; WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2014; TIME: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

WHERE:        Glade Springs Resort
255 Resort Drive
Daniels, WV

*The awards ceremony will be preceded by a brief reception.

Huntington  W.Va –  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that William Petties, 33, of Huntington, West Virginia, was sentenced in federal court in Huntington to three years and ten months in federal prison on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.  On January 20, 2014, agents with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration searched the home of Petties’ girlfriend at 1130 28th Street in Huntington.  Petties, who regularly stayed at the home, was outside when agents arrived with the search warrant.  The search uncovered a loaded Springfield .40 caliber pistol, which was owned by Petties’ girlfriend, but which Petties admitted he jointly possessed and controlled.   Petties was convicted in 2000 of aggravated robbery and is prohibited from possessing any firearm.

Petties is a former member of the drug trafficking organization operated by Kenneth Dewitt Newman, also known as  “K-Kutta.”   The investigation of the Newman Organization established that Newman, along with others, distributed cocaine, heroin, MDMA, marijuana, and prescription pills in the Huntington area.  

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and 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. 

First State Bank Vice President Made More Than $1.4 Million in Bad Bank Loans

Huntington, W.Va. –   A former vice president of First State Bank in Barboursville, West Virginia was sentenced today to five years in federal prison and ordered to repay the bank $1,420,000 in misallocated funds announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Jackie Cantley, 34, previously pleaded guilty on February 18, 2014.

Cantley was a vice president at First State Bank responsible for commercial lending.  Between January and September of 2012, Cantley authorized a series of loans, in excess of his lending authority, without making required disclosures about family and personal relationships among him and the borrowers.  Cantley improperly authorized these loans without loan applications, adequate financial information or sufficient collateral to secure the loans.  Cantley knew that the borrowers were not credit-worthy, but nonetheless authorized $1,420,000 in loans that the bank would not have approved had it been aware of Cantley’s actions.   Cantley personally benefitted from at least one loan when proceeds were used to purchase a pizza business in which Cantley was a part owner.

This case was investigated by the Federal Deposit of Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Eumi Choi was responsible for the prosecution.

Contact: 

WVCADV: Joyce Yedlosky / Tonia Thomas, 304-965-3552, 304-534-0641; US Attorney’ Office, Southern District of WV: Tracy Dorsey Chapman, Victim Witness Coordinator, 800-659-8726, (304) 345-2200
US Attorney’ Office, Northern District of WV: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, 304-234-7725

Recent charges of domestic violence against well-known professional athletes have heightened public interest in the tools available to assist domestic-violence victims and to prosecute domestic-violence offenses. For the past twenty years, one crucial tool in this area has been the federal Violence Against Women Act, which was enacted in September 1994.

The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence joins United States Attorneys Booth Goodwin and William Ihlenfeld in recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.

 “The original law had three simple goals: make streets safer for women; make homes safer for women; and protect women’s civil rights.” – Senator Biden, 1990 (lobbying efforts for 1994 passage)

“VAWA ensures that victims have access to crucial services and resources by supporting shelters and local domestic violence and sexual assault programs across the state and country,” stated Joyce Yedlosky, Team Coordinator with the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  “It also improves the criminal justice response to violence against women by providing funding for dedicated prosecutors and law enforcement who work as a team with local advocates to keep victims safe and to hold perpetrators accountable.”

United States Attorney Booth Goodwin stated, “Before the passage of VAWA, these cases were difficult to prosecute because they often involved multiple jurisdictions.  Abusers often travel between states to stalk or harass their victims or to violate protective orders.  Or worse yet, they drag their victims across state lines to take them away from their families and friends and support systems.  VAWA equipped federal prosecutors with the necessary tools to overcome these challenges.”

“We’ve made a lot of progress in the fight against domestic violence over the past two decades but much more work still needs to be done,” said Northern District U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.  “We must redouble our efforts to prosecute domestic violence offenders who possess firearms despite being prohibited by Federal law.”

Goodwin and Ihlenfeld will join advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement and survivors across the state this week to conduct roundtable discussions on real challenges and solutions to ending violence against women.  Press are invited to attend: Tuesday, September 16th:

• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Shepherd University, Martinsburg Center, 261 Aikens Center, Martinsburg, WV, room 205 (local press contact: Ann Smith, 304-263-8522 )

Wednesday, September 17th:

• 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Governor Huelett C. Smith Theatre, Tamarack, Beckley, WV; (local press contact: Patricia Bailey, Executive Director or Dee Sizemore, PR Coordinator, 304-255-2559)
• 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, 704 Bland Street Suite 209, Bluefield, WV (local press contact: Patricia Daniels, Advocate Supervisor, 304-436-8117, ext 25)

Thursday, September 18th:

• 9:00 am – 10:30 am, Marshall University Student Center, Huntington, WV (local press contact: Amanda Weiss McComas, Director, 304-529-2382)
• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, YWCA, 1114 Quarrier Street, First Floor O’Connor Aultz Room, Charleston WV; (local press contact: Carol Sun, YWCA Development Director, 304-414-3113  )
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, YWCA Wheeling, 1100 Chapline Street, Wheeling,  WV ( local press contact: Patricia Flanigan, Program Director, (304) 232-2748

“Violence against women is the seed to so many other forms of violence and it continues to have devastating effects on families and communities across the country,” stated Yedlosky.  “To end violence in our communities, we must first end violence in our homes.”
Additional resources and information about the Violence Against Women Act are attached.

20 Years After the Passage of The Violence Against Women Act Resources

“In its totality, the Violence Against Women Act was the first federal law that directly held violence against women as a violation of basic civil rights and fundamental human dignity.” –Vice President Biden, 2013 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/09/fact-sheet-standing-women-s-civil-rights-20-years-after-vawa )

"In 1994, VAWA was a long awaited response from the federal government to address the epidemic levels of violence against women in their homes and in their communities," said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). "At that time, many states had made progress in addressing domestic and sexual violence, but the federal government did not have a comprehensive response to violence against women." (http://nnedv.org/news/4373-nnedv-honors-vawa-s-20th-anniversary-and-calls-for-ongoing-action.html )

Here are some examples of VAWA’s effectiveness .  (https://www.legalmomentum.org/blog/celebrating-20-years-violence-against-women-act ):

• Between 1993, the year VAWA was introduced, and 2010, violence against family members and intimate partners in the U.S. declined 67%.
• There has been as much as a 51% increase in reporting of such violence by women and a 37% increase in reporting by men.
• Between 1993 and 2007, the rate of intimate partner homicides of women decreased by 35%, and the rate of intimate partner homicides of men decreased 46%.
• VAWA has saved taxpayers billions of dollars in costs for medical and mental health services, as well as costs for law enforcement and justice system expenditures

In West Virginia, VAWA has contributed to successful initiatives that have lead to:

• Help maintaining 14 licensed domestic violence programs that provide free, confidential, community based, services to all 55 counties in WV.
• Pro arrest laws shifting the responsibility from the victim to the state for filing criminal charges against domestic violence perpetrators;
• A network of community and system based advocates to provide support, education, and legal advocacy as victims walk through the complex, comprehensive legal systems;
• Cross system trainings, collaborative efforts and strategies with a variety of systems that impact families experiencing domestic violence;
• County wide coordinated community response teams to develop and maintain policies and protocols that facilitate safety and accountability;
• Statutory elimination of applying pretrial diversion (as evident in the Ray Rice case) to domestic violence cases preventing domestic violence perpetrators from being able to “erase” their record through a dismissal of charges for good behavior;
• Just recently, WV moved in ranking of states from 8th in the nation to 13th of women murdered by men due to domestic violence (When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2012 Homicide Data. http://www.vpc.org/studies/wmmw2014.pdf )

Charleston, WV  – A Cleveland, Ohio man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. James Herod III, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston.

Herod admitted that on August 23, 2013, he was approached by police officers at the Greyhound Bus Station in Charleston.  Herod, who had both a stolen firearm and marijuana in his possession ran from the officers and attempted to discard the pistol while the officers were chasing him.  Herod had previously stolen the firearm in Putnam County, West Virginia.  Herod faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 16, 2014.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution.

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.

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Wallace Adkins, 82, and his grandson, Timothy Harvey, 30, were sentenced to federal prison terms for their roles in the distribution of oxycodone in Lincoln County, West Virginia.  Adkins was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and Harvey was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.  The two family members had previously plead guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of oxycodone.

During their May 27, 2014, guilty plea hearing, Adkins and Harvey admitted that on March 26, 2013, a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement came to Adkins’  home in West Hamlin to buy oxycodone.  The CI gave Adkins $200.00.  Harvey then reached into Adkins’ shirt pocket, retrieved a bottle of pills, and gave the CI five oxycodone.  The men told the Court that they had been distributing oxycodone from Adkins’ home for over a year. 

The sentences were imposed by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. 

The case was investigated by the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution. 

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 pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Harry D. Rhodes, Jr., 49 of Coal City, West Virginia was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for a federal drug charge.  Rhodes previously pled guilty in May of 2014, to selling oxycodone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain medication, to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place in Coal City, near Beckley, West Virginia.

This case was investigated by the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.  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 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.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Raymond Edmonds, 43, of Beckley, West Virginia pled guilty in federal court in Beckley to distribution of oxycodone.  Edmonds admitted that on March 18, 2014, he sold oxycodone to a person cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Burmeister Avenue in Beckley.  Edmonds faces a sentence of up to twenty years and a $1,000,000 fine.  This case was investigated by the Beckley Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and is being prosecuted under the Beckley Pill Initiative directed by the United States Attorney’s Office.     

This case is also 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. 

United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger set the sentencing for January 8, 2015. 

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Steven D. Benko, 29, of Beckley, West Virginia, plead guilty in federal court in Beckley to distribution of oxycodone.  Benko admitted that on March 5, 2014, he sold oxycodone to a person cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Antonio Avenue in Beckley. Benko faces a sentence of up to twenty years and a $1,000,000 fine. 

This case was investigated by the Beckley Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and is being prosecuted under the Beckley Pill Initiative directed by the United States Attorney’s Office.

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

United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger set the sentencing for January 14, 2015.  

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that David Burgess, 27, and Jesse Burgess, 26, both of Charleston, West Virginia, were each sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. Both men were sentenced on federal gun charges in connection with the theft of firearms from two local businesses. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentences.

David Burgess previously admitted that he illegally possessed a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol on September 17, 2012, the day he stole the firearm from Pawn for Cash, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Charleston. David Burgess had previously been convicted of the felony offense of credit card forgery in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and his rights to possess a firearm had not been restored. Jesse Burgess previously admitted that he aided and abetted his brother in stealing the pistol from Pawn for Cash.  Jesse Burgess was also prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of breaking and entering in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and his rights to possess a firearm had not been restored. 

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn handled the prosecution. 

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.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Saint Albans man who illegally possessed a firearm on July 2, 2014, pleaded guilty today to a federal firearms charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Keival Lewis Kelley, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kelley entered his guilty plea before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers in Huntington.

On July 2, 2014, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Kelley at a residence in Huntington after Kelley was charged with distribution of heroin.  When Kelley was arrested, he was found to be in possession of a loaded,.25 caliber Taurus semiautomatic pistol.

Kelley had previously been convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in 2006 and 2011 on federal drug trafficking charges.  He was on federal supervised release at the time of his most recent arrest.

Kelley faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentence on December 1, 2014.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department STOP team and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a commitment of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s office and other officials nationwide to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.

Defendant also sentenced to lifetime supervision after release; previously convicted of possessing child pornography in 2000

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Matthew John Wiggins, a 41-year old Wood County resident, was sentenced today to 17½years in federal prison followed by a life term of supervised release, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Wiggins’ sentence follows his conviction last March for accessing child pornography with intent to view it and attempting to persuade a person to destroy evidence.  The sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

Following a bench trial in March of 2014, Wiggins was found guilty of knowingly accessing child pornography with intent to view it while he was logged on to a computer located at the Parkersburg and Wood County Library on January 16 and 17, 2013.  Chief Judge Chambers also found that on the eve of trial, Wiggins sent a letter to a person attempting to persuade that person to destroy a library card that Wiggins knew would be important evidence in his trial.

“Criminals who seek out child pornography are supporting and sustaining the exploitation of children,” said U.S. Attorney Goodwin. “It’s heartbreaking to think of the children whose innocence was stolen to entertain people like this defendant. I applaud the tough sentence that Chief Judge Chambers handed down. It should send a powerful message.”

In imposing today’s sentence, Chief Judge Chambers praised the diligent and efficient police work that led to Wiggins’ arrest. The investigation of Wiggins began when an Information Security Officer with the West Virginia Office of Information Security and Controls, an agency that monitors state computers for illegal activity, discovered that someone at the Parkersburg and Wood County Library was downloading child pornography images on a library computer on January 16 and 17, 2013.  The Office of Information Security and Controls was able to trace the internet protocol (IP) address to a computer that was located on the main floor of the library.  The Information Security Officer reported the illegal activity to the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

On January 17, 2013, a member of the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and two Parkersburg Police Department detectives went to the library and found Wiggins sitting at the computer on which he had downloaded child pornography on January 16 and 17.  A forensic examination performed on that computer revealed that Wiggins accessed, with intent to view, 324 images of child pornography.  Some of the images depict minors engaged in sadistic and masochistic conduct or other acts of violence. 

Wiggins was previously convicted in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia in 2000 of knowingly possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment.  Within 11 days of being released from prison, he was found to be in possession of a computer in violation of the terms and conditions of his supervised release.  At that time, Wiggins admitted to using software designed to delete data on the computer he had at his residence.  During Wiggins’ second term of supervised release, he was caught viewing pictures of naked young females on a computer located at the West Virginia University Parkersburg library and was sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months.

The investigation of Wiggins was conducted by the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of the West Virginia Office of Information Security and Controls, the Parkersburg Police Department, the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Johnston and Jennifer Rada Herrald were in charge of the prosecution.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Ivory Hall, 32, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and heroin, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. From March 2012 through September 2012, Hall, sometimes known as “Chris Nelson,” distributed heroin in and around Huntington.  On September 20, 2012, Hall was in a vehicle stopped by officers with the Huntington Police Department.  At the time of the stop, Hall threw to the ground packages containing 163 30-milligram oxycodone pills, heroin packages for sale and digital scales.

Additionally, on September 20, 2012, Hall’s residence at 222 Fifth Avenue in Huntington was searched.  Officers found ammunition and two firearms belonging to Hall.  Hall also had $18,312 in the apartment which was used in his distribution of controlled substances.

Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers scheduled Hall’s sentencing for December 1, 2014.  Hall faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine at sentencing.

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. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Vienna, West Virginia man who possessed heroin and a pistol in November of 2013 was sentenced today to five years in federal prison, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  Robert Lamar Bates-Porter, 27, previously pleaded guilty in May of 2014 to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

In August, October, and November of 2013, drug task force officers made controlled purchases of heroin from Bates-Porter.  On November 10, 2013 police executed a search warrant at Bates-Porter’s 29th Street residence in Vienna, where they recovered approximately 100 grams of heroin and a Kimber .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol.

Bates-Porter had been previously convicted of felonies in Detroit, Michigan, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine in 2006 and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2007.  These convictions preclude him from possessing any firearm.

The Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by 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.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.  This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime.

2:30 p.m. today, W. Kent Carper Justice and Public Safety Complex

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin and other law enforcement officials, including officials with the FBI and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. on the first floor of the W. Kent Carper Justice and Public Safety Complex, located at 301 Virginia Street, East, in Charleston. The news conference will address criminal charges against Ernest Michael Roach in the death of a Cross Lanes teenager whose body was found in Meigs County, Ohio, on Saturday. Roach faces a murder charge in Ohio, as well as a federal charge of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The federal charge is pending in federal court in Charleston. Roach will make an initial appearance in the federal case at 2:00 p.m. today, at the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse, 300 Virginia Street, East, in Charleston. The 2:30 p.m. news conference will take place across the street at the Carper Complex.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Michigan woman who rented a Huntington apartment as part of a heroin conspiracy pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Lakeisha Sherell Williams, 31, entered a guilty plea to maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing heroin. Williams pleaded guilty in a hearing conducted by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. 

Beginning in early August 2013, Williams rented an upstairs apartment located at 2504 1/2 Adams Avenue in West Huntington. Williams subsequently allowed multiple individuals to stay at the apartment, where they would store, prepare, and distribute heroin that was transported from Detroit to Huntington.  Williams also assisted in transporting heroin and United States currency to and from Detroit on multiple occasions.

Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on December 1, 2014.

The FBI Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.

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.

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A 54-year old Mercer County man, David A. Punturi, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Punturi must also pay $2,500 in restitution to victims. Today’s sentence was handed down by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield. 

Punturi previously admitted that on August 14, 2013, he possessed over 600 images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were located on his personal computer at his Bluefield residence. The investigation revealed that Punturi was using two peer-to-peer file sharing programs to share child pornography via the Internet.

The West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston was in charge of the prosecution.

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

Huntington, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that John Clark Schlotter, 30, of Huntington, and originally from Weirton, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 36 months’ probation and six months of weekend confinement for unlawfully possessing a firearm while a drug addict. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed today’s sentence, which follows Schlotter’s May 2014 guilty plea.
 
In January of 2014, Schlotter possessed two stolen guns at his home on First Avenue Rear in Huntington. Schlotter was holding the guns for a known heroin dealer who had received them in payment of a heroin debt. Schlotter was holding the guns for the heroin dealer in exchange for heroin for Schlotter’s personal use.

Chief Judge Robert C. Chambers set the sentencing for September 2, 2014.

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. – Bashiri Deon McDaniel, also known as “Chevy”, age 36, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to distributing heroin. McDaniel admitted that on December 22, 2011, he sold heroin to what proved to be a confidential informant working with the West Virginia State Police. The transaction occurred at a residence in Point Pleasant, Mason County, West Virginia. As part of his plea, McDaniel further admitted that between the winter of 2011 and March of 2013, he conspired with others to distribute between 400 and 700 grams of heroin originating out of Detroit to various individuals in Mason County and in Gallipolis, Ohio. McDaniel faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on December 1, 2014.

Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers conducted today’s plea hearing.

The successful  investigation was the result of the cooperative efforts of the West Virginia State Police and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.

More than 100 Drug Deals Made By On-Duty Mail Carrier

Beckley, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a Greenbrier County man was sentenced in federal court in Beckley for using a telephone to facilitate the sale of illegal drugs.  Jack Edwin McCoy, 30, of White Sulfphur Springs, West Virginia was sentenced to three years of probation including four months of home confinement and 150 hours of community service.

McCoy pled guilty in May of 2014, admitting that on February 20, 2014, he used a telephone to tell a confidential informant working with law enforcement (CI) where to meet him to buy buprenorphine, a controlled substance found in the medication Suboxone.  After the telephone conversation, the CI met McCoy in Ronceverte, West Virginia where McCoy sold the CI a Suboxone strip.  At the time of the transaction, McCoy was working a shift as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service.  McCoy admitted that he had sold about 270 suboxone strips, and that he had sold about 100 times while on duty as a mail carrier.  McCoy is no longer employed by the Postal Service.

The case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney John File, and was pursued under the Greenbrier County Heroin and Pill Initiative, which is part of an ongoing effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, to aggressively pursue and shut down heroin and illegal prescription medication trafficking in communities across the Southern District.

Huntington, W.Va. – A Wayne County woman was sentenced yesterday, to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison for her role in helping a convicted felon acquire five firearms from a Huntington pawn shop announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Brittany Amanda Hewlett, 25, previously pleaded guilty in May of 2014 to making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm.

On February 26, 2014, Hewlett and an associate went to a Huntington pawn shop to buy five guns.  Hewlett completed a federally required form, and claimed that she was buying the guns for herself when, in fact, the guns were for her associate.  Hewlett had previously agreed to buy the guns, understanding that they would be given to the associate who was legally prohibited from buying or possessing guns.  When Hewlett and the associate returned later to the pawn shop to finalize the gun purchase, an undercover federal agent was present and posed as the sales clerk.

The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. 

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.

Charleston, W.Va. – A Florida man who possessed oxycodone and other prescription drugs during a December 2011 traffic stop in Summersville, West Virginia  pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Gregory Leandre, 31, of Naples, Florida pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone in federal court in Charleston.

On December 29, 2011, Leandre and another man were stopped by police in Summersville after receiving a tip from a local resident.  The men were found in possession of approximately 831 oxycodone and 117 hydrocodone pills.  At the plea hearing, Leandre told the Court he intended to distribute the pills.

Leandre made his appearance in U.S. District Court after serving prison time in Florida on an unrelated drug conviction.  He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 9, 2014.

The Summersville Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.

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. 

Charleston, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a Charleston man pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Charleston to conspiring to defraud timeshare owners throughout the United States and Canada.  David Andrew Glynn, 47, admitted that he set up a bogus company named Mountain State Resales, LLC (MSR) that was purportedly in the business of brokering timeshare sales.  Glynn, and others, contacted timeshare owners and advised them that MSR had buyers for their the timeshares, and asked owners to pay fees and expenses necessary to complete the sales. Timeshare owners were directed to send the requested payments to MSR in South Charleston, West Virginia. 

Glynn also contacted timeshare owners who had been victims of prior fraud schemes and posed as an agent with “Internal Revenue Recovery Associates,” a fictional entity that he claimed was affiliated with a governmental agency.  Glynn represented that he was investigating timeshare fraud schemes, and needed the victims of such schemes to send money to MSR to assist with its recovery efforts. 

During the guilty plea hearing, Glynn admitted that MSR was not a legitimate business, and was created to defraud owners of timeshare companies.  He also admitted that MSR received more than $86,000 from the fraud scheme.  As part of the plea agreement, Glynn will be required to make full restitution.  Sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2014.  

The investigation of this case was conducted by the West Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney  Meredith George Thomas is handling the prosecution.

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -  Reginald Bennett, 40, of Cedar Grove, West Virginia pleaded guilty today to unlawful concealment of a firearm announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin.  In September of 2013, Bennett was stopped by the Charleston Police Department for a traffic violation.  During the stop, officers discovered  a .38 caliber Colt revolver in Bennett’s possession.  Bennett was prohibited from possessing any gun because of a prior felony conviction.  After his arrest and release, Bennett removed a Ruger M77 rifle from his home in Cedar Grove, and hid it in a home in South Charleston to prevent law enforcement officers from finding it.  The rifle was discovered when a federal search warrant was executed at the South Charleston residence. 

Bennett faces a maximum penalty of 20 in prison when he is sentenced on December 11, 2014.  As part of his plea, Bennett agreed to forfeit both the revolver and the rifle.

The United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States. 

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Jimmy Dale Wright, age 57, of Rock, West Virginia, was sentenced today in Bluefield, West Virginia, by United States District Court Judge David A. Faber.  Wright was sentenced to a 12-month term of imprisonment, and a three year term of supervised release.  Wright previously pled guilty in April of 2014, to distributing a quantity of hydromorphone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain medication.  Wright admitted that on August 7, 2013, he sold pills to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Pocosin Fork Road in Lashmeet, Mercer County, West Virginia.

The West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation. 

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 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.

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that four members of a Lincoln County family entered guilty pleas today in federal court in Charleston.  Larry Wayne Lawson, 54, of West Hamlin, wife, Tina Taylor Lawson, 37, son, Jason Wayne Lawson, 30, and son’s fiancé, Tia Estep, 28, of Seymour, Tennessee all entered guilty pleas admitting their involvement in distributing oxycodone in August of 2013. 

Larry Lawson and Tina Taylor Lawson admitted that on August 13, 2013, they sold 5 oxycodone pills to a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement.  The CI sent a text message to the Lawson’s cell phone asking whether the couple had any pills for sale.  Tina Lawson responded via text message, that they could supply the pills and directed the CI to meet them at their home on Bear Creek in West Hamlin, West Virginia.  When the CI arrived at the Lawson’s home, Larry Lawson sold him 5 oxycodone 30 mg pills for $200.00.

The following day, on August 14, 2013, the CI phoned Larry Lawson and arranged to purchase additional oxycodone pills.  Larry Lawson directed the CI to come back to his Bear Creek residence where Jason Lawson and Tia Estep sold the CI 5 oxycodone 30 mg pills for $200.00.

All four defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment when they are sentenced on November 20, 2014, before United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

This case was investigated by the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police.

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 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.

Beckley, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a Greenbrier county man pled guilty to a federal drug charge in Beckley today.  Seth Allen Carr, 24, of Alderson, admitted that on April 9, 2014, he used a telephone to facilitate a drug transaction.  When he used the telephone he was in Lewisburg.  Following the telephone conversation, Carr sold heroin to a confidential informant.  Carr faces up to 4 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  United States District Judge Irene Berger scheduled his sentencing for January 8, 2015.

This case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John File.

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 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.  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a Crab Orchard man was sentenced in federal court in Beckley for distributing oxycodone.  Gene James, also known as “Butch,” 44, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.  James previously pled guilty in May of 2014, to distributing oxycodone to a person cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Hot Coal Road in Sophia, West Virginia. 

This case was investigated by the Beckley Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and was prosecuted under the Beckley Pill Initiative directed by the United States Attorney’s Office. 

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

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a Beckley man pled guilty in federal court to obtaining oxycodone by fraud.  Daniel Michael Koehler, 30, admitted that he coaxed his girlfriend, a former pharmacy technician at ByPass Pharmacy in Beckley, to steal oxycodone for him.  Koehler and his girlfriend avoided detection by stealing the drugs beyond the view of security cameras in the area in which the drugs were stored.  Koehler admitted that he sold some of the oxycodone and used the rest.  Koehler faces up to four years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release when he is sentenced  on December 4, 2014.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. 

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 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.  

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Michael J. Dow, 44, of Beckley, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Beckley to distribution of heroin.  Dow admitted that on March 2, 2014, he sold heroin to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on F Street in Beckley, West Virginia.

Dow faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled the sentencing for December 4, 2014. 

The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigation. 

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 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.  

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Joseph Hurley, 28, of Man, West Virginia was sentenced today to five years’ probation, with five months to be served in community confinement for the federal offense of Access Device Fraud.  Mr. Hurley was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of  $5,766 dollars, the full amount of the loss resulting from the fraud.

On January 26,2013, Hurley took the names and social security numbers of two relatives with whom he was living.  Hurley applied online to Citibank for credit cards (access devices) assuming the identities of his relatives.  Hurley received the first credit card in the mail at the home where he was staying in Man, West Virginia.  Hurley activated the card and fraudulently charged over five thousand dollars between February 2,2013 and March 15, 2013.  He attempted to use the second card he received in the mail, but was blocked by the Citibank Fraud Detection Unit because of suspected fraudulent activity. 

The United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. 

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Bobby Evans, 29, of Delaware, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston to distributing heroin.  Evans admitted that on May 28, 2014, he met a confidential informant (CI) at Tudors Biscuit World on Washington Street East, in Charleston and sold heroin to the CI for $60.00.  Evans also admitted that he had previously sold cocaine base (crack) to the same CI on May 27, 2014 in front of his residence on Washington Street East in Charleston.  On May 29, 2014, officers executed a search warrant at the house where Evans was staying and found $40.00 of the money used by the CI to buy the heroin, additional heroin, and a gun.

Evans faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 13, 2014, by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution.  The 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 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.

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Mark A. Johnson, Jr., 24, of Charleston, West Virginia, was sentenced today in federal court to six years and six months’ imprisonment for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  In November of 2013, while on federal supervised release for a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Johnson got into an argument with his girlfriend outside of the Town Center Mall.  A construction worker attempted to intervene, and Johnson pulled a handgun and threatened to kill him.  Johnson was later arrested and has been in federal custody since December of 2013.  In January of 2014, Johnson was sentenced to an additional six months of imprisonment for violating the terms of his supervised release.  Today’s sentence imposes an additional six years and six months of imprisonment to be served consecutively to the six month sentence for the supervised release violation.  In deciding on the appropriate sentence, the sentencing court considered that Johnson had tried to convince two witnesses to lie for him and to say he did not have a real gun when he threatened the construction worker last November.   

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 investigated by the Charleston Police Department and the United States Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.     

BECKLEY,  W.Va. – A 32-year old Raleigh County man faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty today to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.   David Alan Hunt, of Sophia, West Virginia entered a guilty plea before United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger.

Hunt admitted that on March 23, 2012, he possessed pictures of prepubescent and pubescent minors engaged in sexual acts.  The images were located on his personal  computer and on a compact disc located in his residence.  Hunt also admitted to using a file sharing program that allowed him to share the pornographic images over the Internet.  U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said, “We are committed to the fight against criminals like David Alan Hunt who contribute to the exploitation and abuse of children.  We will use every available tool to track them down and prosecute them to the fullest extent allowed by law.”

The court scheduled a sentencing hearing for Hunt on December 4, 2014 in Beckley, West Virginia.

The West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and Federal Bureau of Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.

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

Charleston, W.Va. –  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Shannon T. Murray, age 42, of Elkview, West Virginia pled guilty today in federal court in Charleston to aiding in the distribution of oxycodone. At the hearing, Murray admitted that in February of 2013, he transported oxycodone pills to a Kirkwood Drive residence where the pills were sold to a confidential informant working with law enforcement.  Shortly after the drug deal, police executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered the money used by the confidential informant to buy the drugs from Murray, and also found additional oxycodone pills.  Murray was in the residence when officers arrived and was arrested.  Murray faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000.00 fine when he is sentenced on November 12, 2014.

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and 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. 

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Leonard Dillon, 58, of Bim, Boone County, West Virginia pled guilty in federal court in Charleston to selling heroin.  On March 21, 2013, Dillon sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement.  On four other occasions in March and April 2013, Dillon sold heroin and oxycodone to a confidential informant.  Dillon faces up to twenty years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when he is sentenced on December 4, 2014. 

The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald.

The 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 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.

Huntington, W.Va. – Alton Tribble, 37, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced in federal court in Huntington today to five years and three months’ in federal prison.  Tribble previously pled guilty in April of 2014 to possession with intent to distribute heroin.  On December 26, 2013, members of the Huntington Police Department searched a residence at 917 21st Street in Huntington used by Tribble to store heroin he intended to sell in the Huntington area.  Police seized heroin, a .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a set of digital scales.

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.