Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Rodney Wiley, 30, and his wife Opal Wiley, 42, of Chapmanville, Logan County, West Virginia, were sentenced today to 30 months and 18 months imprisonment, respectively, for selling methamphetamine, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Both defendants, who pleaded guilty in February of this year, previously admitted to selling methamphetamine to what proved to be a confidential informant working with the U.S. 119 Drug Task Force. The meth sale occurred in January 2013, outside the Dollar General Store in Chapmanville. At the time of their arrest, the defendants further acknowledged that they had jointly sold methamphetamine for several months.

United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., handed down today’s sentence.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Gene James, also known as “Butch,” 44, of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court in Beckley to distributing a quantity of oxycodone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain medication.  James admitted that on November 13, 2013, he sold pills to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities.  The drug deal took place on Hot Coal Road in Sophia, Raleigh County, West Virginia.

James faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled the sentencing for August 21, 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.  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.

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Mark Johnson, Jr., 23, pleaded guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm in Charleston, WV, where he resides.  In November 2013, Johnson was involved in an altercation outside the Town Center Mall and he brandished a firearm during that altercation.  Johnson has two prior felony convictions – both involving firearms.  Johnson faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 20, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston conducted today’s guilty plea hearing.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Robert Sears and Curtis Sears, both age 21, and both of Crab Orchard; and Stephen Hatcher, age 35, of Beckley, were sentenced today in Beckley, West Virginia, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Robert Sears was sentenced to 4 months home confinement with 100 hours community service; Curtis Sears was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment; and Stephen Hatcher was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.    All three defendants previously pleaded guilty in January 2014 to obtaining oxycodone by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception and subterfuge.  Each defendant obtained stolen blank prescription scripts, which they forged or which were forged by others, and obtained oxycodone at local Beckley pharmacies. 

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger handed down today’s 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.  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.

Charleston, W.Va. – Michael W. Smith, 36, of Sandyville, Jackson County, West Virginia, was sentenced to five years’ probation following his guilty plea to theft of government benefits, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today.  Smith was also ordered to repay $10,110 to the federal government. 

In October 2008, Smith began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on behalf of his uncle, James Conrad, as Conrad’s representative payee.  A representative payee is a person who agrees to receive SSI benefits on behalf of the intended recipient.  When Conrad died on April 29, 2009, Smith’s right to receive benefits on behalf of his uncle terminated. Smith continued, however, to receive and cash SSI payments intended for his deceased uncle from May 2009 to July 2010. These payments totaled $10,110. In March 2011, Smith admitted his theft to agents of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG). 

The SSA OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men pleaded guilty today in federal court to distributing heroin in Huntington, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Demetrius D. Taylor, 33, and Loveil L. Wade, 31, pleaded guilty to heroin distribution before Judge Robert C. Chambers, United States Chief Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia.  Both men were investigated by the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force for drug distribution.  In January, 2014, task force agents recorded the men selling heroin to a cooperating individual.  Both men have previously been convicted of federal drug trafficking crimes.  Thomas was on federal supervised release for his prior drug trafficking offense. Thomas and Wade each face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on August 4, 2014.

The Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Sharon Frazier handled the prosecution.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Joseph Lee Church, 36, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to possessing various controlled substances with the intent of selling them in the Rand, West Virginia area. Church admitted that a backpack seized from him by Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff Jason Mace on December 10, 2011, in Rand, contained prescription medication and heroin which he intended to sell in the area.  The backpack was found to contain heroin, which is a Schedule I controlled substance, as well as various prescription pills, including hydromorphone, amphetamine, oxycodone and hydrocodone, which are Schedule II and III controlled substances.

Church faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine when he is sentenced August 12, 2014. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston conducted today’s plea hearing.

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

Pills, heroin, marijuana, cash, and firearm seized from defendant’s home

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Kristin Michelle Graley was sentenced to five years in federal prison for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute prescription pills and marijuana.  Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down the sentence. Graley, 31, of Huntington, allowed her co-defendant, Alvester Thomas, 34, of Detroit, Michigan to store drugs at her home located at 3008 Rear 3rd Avenue in Huntington.  During a search of Graley’s home in July of last year, agents with the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force located a kilogram of heroin inside a safe in a bedroom.  Agents also seized 545 oxycodone pills, 73 oxymorphone pills, additional amounts of heroin in the living room, and approximately three pounds of marijuana. Agents also recovered a gun from the kitchen of the home and approximately $17,230 in United States currency.  Thomas admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he intended to sell them.

Thomas faces 10 years to life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27, 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.  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. 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man involved in a heroin distribution scheme was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Bobby Nelson Gulley, 38, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Gulley admitted that he conspired with others, including Helen Louise Adkins and Alanna Lynn Mattison, to distribute heroin in the Huntington area from at least January 2013 to August 15, 2013. 

During the conspiracy, Gulley frequently transported heroin and oxycodone from Detroit to Huntington.  Gulley recruited Adkins and Mattison to maintain separate apartments at 522 14th Street West in Huntington where heroin and oxycodone were stored.  Gulley also used Adkins and Mattison to make distributions of heroin on his behalf.  Beginning in January 2013, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration used a confidential informant to make several controlled purchases of heroin from Gulley, Adkins and Mattison at various locations in West Huntington.  On August 15, 2013, agents executed search warrants at the 14th Street West apartments rented by Adkins and Mattison.  During the search, agents seized over 140 grams of heroin, 974 oxycodone tablets and $12,000 in United States currency.

Adkins and Mattison previously pleaded guilty in January 2014 and are both set to be sentenced on June 9, 2014, in Huntington.  

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Huntington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Today’s sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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

Defendant Caught with Hydrocodone, Cash and Stolen Firearms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kennele Groom, 36, pleaded guilty today in federal court to distributing heroin in Charleston, West Virginia, where he resides.  In February 2014, Groom was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of distributing heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone.  In connection with his guilty plea, Groom agreed to forfeit to the United States all proceeds from his drug trafficking, including over $40,000 cash seized from his residence on January 14, 2014.  Groom faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 11, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston conducted today’s guilty plea hearing.

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

Defendant Caught with Hydrocodone, Cash and Stolen Firearms

BECKLEY, W.Va. – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Raymond Duncan, age 31, of Bud, West Virginia, and Jeremy Blankenship, age 38, of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, were sentenced today in federal court in Beckley, West Virginia.  In January of 2014, Duncan plead guilty to obtaining oxycodone by fraud, and Blankenship plead guilty to attempting to obtain oxycodone by fraud. Both men forged prescriptions for oxycodone on stolen prescription pads and presented them to Beckley area pharmacies to be filled.  Duncan was successful in illegally obtaining oxycodone, but Blankenship was arrested during his attempt to get the forged prescription filled. In today’s court hearing, United States District Judge Irene C. Berger sentenced Duncan to ten months’ imprisonment and Blankenship to three years of probation.

The 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.

Charleston, W. Va. -  A federal grand jury in Charleston, West Virginia, has returned a single count indictment against Regina Ancion, age 64, of St. Albans, West Virginia for theft of government money.  The indictment alleges that Ancion forged social security checks made out to a deceased relative between November of 2006 and November of 2013, with a total loss to the government of more than $80,000.  If convicted, Ancion faces a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and an order to pay restitution.

The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is in charge of the prosecution.

Note:  The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A man who sold heroin on Charleston’s East End pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Darrell Shawton Collins, 36, originally from Detroit, Michigan, faces up to 20 years in prison for heroin distribution.  In December of 2013, detectives with the Charleston Police Department Special Enforcement Unit used a confidential informant to buy heroin from Collins. The drug deal took place at the corner of Washington Street East and Thompson Street. At the time of the drug deal, Collins was on federal supervised release for a prior drug trafficking offense.  His supervised release was revoked today following his guilty plea. Sentencing is scheduled for August 14, 2014.

The Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada 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. – A 20-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Charleston.  According to the three-count indictment, on March 25, 2014, Aric Adams, Jr. is alleged to have possessed and discharged a handgun within 1000 feet of J.E. Robins Elementary School, on Charleston’s West Side.  The indictment further alleges that Adams was prohibited from possessing the handgun because he is an unlawful user of a controlled substance.  Adams allegedly discharged eight rounds from the handgun within 1000 feet of J.E. Robins school shortly after students were released at the end of the school day.  Adams was arrested on April 4, 2014 on a federal criminal complaint and is detained without bond pending trial. 

If convicted, Adams faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to $750,000.00 in fines.

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department. 

Note:  The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA announce more than 3 tons collected, breaking previous record by more than half a ton

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two men who possessed methamphetamine and firearms were sentenced today to federal prison after pleading guilty in January to federal drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Richard Milton Hudson Riggal, 44, of Zephyrhills, Florida was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and sentenced to fifteen years and 8 months on the conspiracy charge and an additional two years for violating his federal supervision.  Howard Leon Lykins, II, 49, of Charleston, West Virginia was convicted of maintaining a residence for drug purposes and sentenced to nine years. 

In July of 2013, detectives from the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) executed a search warrant at Lykins’ Stone Acres Drive residence in Charleston.  Riggall was at the house when officers arrived.  Police searched Riggall’s luggage and discovered methamphetamine, digital scales, two pistols (one of which was stolen), and $41,490 in cash.  Police seized additional methamphetamine, firearms, and money from elsewhere in Lykins’ residence.

Police executed a second search warrant at another Kanawha County residence where they seized more than 900 grams of high-purity “Ice” methamphetamine which Riggall transported from Florida to West Virginia for distribution.  Both Riggall and Lykins admitted distributing approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine in the months leading up to July 2013. 

Riggall had been previously convicted of several felonies including burglary, grand theft, operation of a chop shop, and distribution of marijuana.  In July of 2013, when he was arrested on the drug conspiracy charge, Riggall was still on federal supervision for a 2006 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Lykins had been previously convicted in 2007 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

MDENT and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

BLUEFIELD,  W.Va. – A 54-year old Mercer County man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty today to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.   David A. Punturi, of Bluefield, West Virginia entered a guilty plea before Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber.

Punturi admitted that on August 14, 2013, he possessed pictures of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts.  The images were located on his personal computers. The court scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2014 in Bluefield.

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 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.

U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA announce more than 3 tons collected, breaking previous record by more than half a ton

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Resident Agent in Charge Suzan Williamson jointly announced today that last Saturday's Prescription Drug Take-Back event collected a total of  6,211 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs from citizens and households across West Virginia.  The April 26th collection results far surpassed the previous Take-Back record of 4,976 pounds of prescription drugs collected in October 2013.

U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “The last three Take-Back events have each resulted in record totals of prescription medications collected.  Last Saturday, we broke our old record by more than half a ton.  My thanks go to the DEA and all of the law enforcement agencies that participated.  Most of all, I want to thank the citizens of West Virginia, who've stepped up in tremendous fashion to keep their unwanted prescription medicines out of the wrong hands.”  Click here to hear an audio clip from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.

Resident Agent in Charge Williamson commended all of the federal, state and local law enforcement partners in West Virginia for their assistance.  “There were 127 collection sites designated throughout the state for the April 26th event,  providing convenient and accessible locations for the citizens of West Virginia to drop off expired, unused and unwanted medications.  It is the assistance of all of our law enforcement partners that continues to make Prescription Drug Take-Back events in West Virginia so successful.”

In the seven previous Take-Back events, the DEA and its law enforcement partners have collected more than 3.4 million pounds (1,733 tons) of prescription medications nationwide. By removing unwanted prescription medications from American homes, each Take-Back event helps prevent potentially addictive substances from falling into the hands of children and teenagers. The Take-Back program also reduces the risk of burglaries and home invasions staged by criminals seeking household prescription drugs.  

U.S. Attorney Goodwin encouraged West Virginia citizens to make proper disposal of their prescription medications a regular habit.   “While the twice-a-year Take-Back events are tremendously successful, many of our law enforcement agencies now maintain permanent drop-off boxes to allow more frequent disposal of prescription drugs.  Sheriffs’ Departments in Kanawha, Putnam, Raleigh, Greenbrier and Wood counties are among those agencies that collect prescriptions drugs throughout the year.  Since proper disposal is vital in keeping these drugs off the streets, I encourage our citizens to continue to take advantage of permanent drop-off boxes available in their communities.”

Click here to listen to an audio clip from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.

Ambassadors for Justice: Celebrating Good Kids  
By
Booth Goodwin
United States Attorney, Southern District of West Virginia

Teenagers today face a mountain of challenges and temptations, as those of us with kids and grandkids are painfully aware. We live in a world that is much more complicated than it was just a generation ago.  Back then, parents and teachers worried mainly about drinking and cutting class.  Today, we face an epidemic of prescription drugs—powerful narcotics that many students mistakenly believe are safe because they come from a pharmacy.  In reality, these drugs are just as deadly as street drugs, like heroin, if not taken as prescribed.  Other problems, like bullying, are also growing worse: far too often these days, we see incidents of bullying and harassment boil over into tragedies in our schools. Simply put, being a good kid is getting harder and harder.

We make it a point to celebrate athletic achievement and academic achievement—and we should. But too often, we fail to celebrate students who are just plain good kids.  That’s why, three years ago, my office started a program called Ambassadors for Justice.  I got in touch with all the high school principals in my district and asked them to designate juniors from their schools as Ambassadors for Justice.  The title Ambassador for Justice recognizes a student’s devotion to justice, citizenship and serving others—to being a good kid and a good influence on those around them. 

There is no requirement that the student chosen be the class president or the most popular (although they certainly can be).  Rather, I asked principals to identify students with outstanding character and strong ethical compasses; students who are respected by their peers; students who will speak up if a classmate makes a self-destructive choice or bullies someone else. Being recognized as an Ambassador for Justice is not just an award or certificate.  The program’s goal is to encourage students to stay the course and keep contributing to their schools and communities by doing the right thing every day—even when no one else is watching.

Every year, a new group of Ambassadors for Justice is recognized in a ceremony held in Charleston.  After the ceremony, the Ambassadors are brought together to talk about the hurdles facing teenagers in today’s world, and to share ideas about how to overcome them.  The first group of Ambassadors comprised 40 students from all around southern West Virginia, and the second group grew to 57.  This year, I was honored to collaborate with my friend, Bill Ihlenfeld, the United States Attorney in the Northern District of West Virginia.  Together, Bill and I honored 88 Ambassadors for Justice chosen from the entire State of West Virginia. To see this year’s class of Ambassadors, along with individual pictures of those who were able to attend the March 12, 2014 ceremony in Charleston, you can visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/AforJ.html.

Every time I meet with these remarkable young people, I come away inspired. It’s easy to be cynical about teenagers, but these students bring the Golden Rule to life. They look out for classmates who are having trouble, whatever it may be, and they stand up for those who can’t defend themselves. They are bright, thoughtful, and committed to improving their schools, their state, and their country. I’m honored to be able to support them, and I hope this program will remind others of the importance of building character in our kids. It doesn’t take much to get involved: Just keep an eye out for young people like these Ambassadors for Justice, who do the right thing even when it’s hard, and let them know you’ve noticed their good deeds. Remind your kids and grandkids that we should always do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Together, we can do much more than you think to keep old-fashioned values alive and well in our schools and our communities.

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Ronnie Dale Norman Sr., 67 and his son, Ronnie Dale Norman Jr., 23,  both of Branchland, West Virginia, entered guilty pleas today to distribution of oxycodone.  They each face up to 20 years when they are sentenced on August 13, 2014 by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr.
In January of 2012, detectives with the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force used a confidential informant to buy oxycodone from Ronnie Norman, Sr., at Branchland home in Lincoln County.  In September of 2012, detectives made another controlled buy from the Norman residence.   This time, however, when the informant asked to buy oxycodone pills,  Ronnie Norman, Sr. retrieved the pills, handed them to his son, Ronnie Norman, Jr., who then gave the pills to the informant in exchange for cash.  Ronnie Norman, Jr. then handed the drug money to his father. 

The Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force 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. 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A convicted felon who illegally possessed firearms was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment today, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  Jonathan Kyle Masters, 30, of Huntington, West Virginia, previously pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon. 

In December of 2012, police officers found a handgun in Masters’ car after he was caught shoplifting ammunition from Cabela’s in Charleston, West Virginia.  Shortly thereafter, federal agents executed a search warrant at Masters’ Huntington, West Virginia home where they seized two more pistols, a shotgun, and numerous rounds of ammunition. 

In 2007, Masters was convicted in Wayne County, West Virginia of wanton endangerment and possession of a deadly weapon on premises of educational facilities, both felonies.  As a result of these convictions, Masters was not permitted to possess any firearm.

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 United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Huntington Police Department.  The sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Sharon M. Frazier handled the prosecution. 

Huntington, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Gregory Lindsey Jr, 22, of Detroit, Michigan, entered a guilty plea today to possession with intent to distribute oxymorphone pills, commonly known as “Opana.”  Lindsey faces up to 20 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 4, 2014, by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers.

In January of 2014, detectives with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) searched the residence at 21A Bailes Drive in Nitro, West Virginia.  When officers entered the apartment, they found Lindsey holding a gun.  Officers chased Lindsey as he ran to the back bedroom of the apartment to dispose of the gun.  After a brief struggle with the officers,  Lindsey was restrained and searched. Officers found two baggies containing Opana pills in the pocket of his pants and $2,000.00 in cash.  The gun, a semiautomatic pistol, was found under Lindsey. 

MDENT conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman 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. 

Huntington, W.Va. – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that James Anthony Jones, 28, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia to 37 months imprisonment for possession with the intent to deliver heroin.  United States District Court Chief Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down the sentence.

In November of 2012, Jones and his girlfriend took a Greyhound bus from Detroit, Michigan to Huntington to deliver heroin for Zachary Merritt.  Upon their arrival in at the Huntington bus station, Jones gave the heroin to his girlfriend and directed her to conceal it inside her body.  Instead, Jones’ girlfriend placed the heroin under the seat of the taxi they took after arriving at the Huntington bus station.  Shortly after leaving the bus station, Huntington police officers stopped the taxi and seized the heroin. 

As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that he participated in trafficking 528 grams of heroin to Huntington for resale.  Merritt, also from Detroit and the source of the heroin transported by Jones, has pled guilty to his role in the heroin trafficking and was sentenced to almost seven years in federal prison.

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. 

Charleston, W. Va. -  United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Brian M. Smith, 31, of Charleston was sentenced  to five years in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a stolen firearm.  Smith previously plead guilty in August of 2013.

In December of 2009, Smith was approached on the front porch of his Charleston West Side residence and offered a handgun for sale.  Smith was familiar with two men peddling the gun and knew that they frequently dealt in stolen merchandise and drugs.  Smith was able to negotiate with the men and purchase the gun for less than $100.  The day after the purchase, Smith was stopped by Charleston police officers in the parking lot of the Charleston West Side Auto Zone.  The officers, who were investigating a shoplifting complaint, discovered the stolen gun in Smith’s jacket.  Smith, who had been previously convicted of felony burglary in 2005, knew he could not lawfully possess any gun.

The Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation, assisted by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States. 

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Antonio LeJune Wade, 30, of Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for setting fire to the steps from his girlfriend’s apartment.  Wade admitted that he intentionally set the fire following an argument with his girlfriend and knowing that the stairs were the only means of exit from the apartment.  Wade’s girlfriend and her young son were in the apartment located on Sixth Avenue in Charleston, at the time the fire was set.  Wade pleaded guilty in January of 2014 to the charge of malicious destruction by fire.  United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.

The Charleston Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Blaire L. Malkin handled the prosecution.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department will host a National Prescription Drug Take-Back kickoff event on Friday, April 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenbrier County Courthouse located at 200 North Court Street in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Friday’s kickoff event will promote awareness of the eighth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014.  As part of West Virginia’s participation in the prescription drug collection effort, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other partners will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at several designated drop-off sites throughout the state on April 26, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Past take-back events have collected a total of more than 13 tons of unwanted prescription drugs in West Virginia and 1,733 tons nationwide. For a complete list of collection locations, please visit: www.dea.gov.    

PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK KICKOFF EVENT – Greenbrier County Courthouse

WHO:     United States Attorney Booth Goodwin
Sheriff Jan Cahill, Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department

WHERE: Greenbrier County Courthouse (Lobby)
200 North Court Street
Lewisburg, WV

WHEN:    Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Phyllis Morris, age 38, was sentenced today in Beckley, West Virginia, by United States District Court Judge Irene C. Berger to one year in federal prison.  Morris previously plead guilty in January of 2014, to distributing oxycodone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain killer.  Morris admitted that in March of 2013, she sold oxycodone pills to a confidential informant who was working with the Beckley Police Department Drug Unit.  The drug deal took place at a restaurant/bar in Shady Spring, West Virginia. 

The 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.

Charleston, W.Va. – Defendants Deandre Coleman, 22, and Jamaal Davis, 23, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., to five years of probation.  Coleman previously pled guilty on January 21, 2014, admitting that on July 9, 2013, he sold a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”), cocaine base, also known as “crack”, for $100.00 at his Roane Street residence.  Davis, who also pled guilty on January 2, 2104, admitted that he sold heroin for $180.00 to the same informant at Coleman’s Roane Street residence on June 13, 2013.

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.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Jeffrey S. Walton, 48, of Ronceverte, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Beckley today to abusive sexual contact with a female federal inmate.  Walton admitted that on one occasion in May or June of 2013, he touched the breasts of an inmate at the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson.  At the time of the incident, Walton was employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and was acting as the inmate’s work supervisor at the Alderson facility.  Walton is no longer employed by the Bureau of Prisons.

Walton faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  United States District Judge Irene Berger has scheduled the sentencing for July 31, 2014. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.

Defendant Brandon “Fresh” Solomon was prosecuted as part of Charleston’s West Side Drug Market Intervention initiative

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced to six months in federal prison for distribution of heroin, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today.  Brandon Christopher Solomon, 19, also known as “Fresh,” sold heroin to a police informant three separate times in August of 2013. One sale took place inside the Charleston Town Center Mall and two others took place on the West Side of Charleston.  Solomon previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin in December of 2013.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

Solomon was prosecuted as part of the Charleston area’s Drug Market Intervention (DMI) initiative.  Solomon was designated a member of the DMI A-list comprised of the  most serious offenders identified in the initiative. The DMI initiative was launched in February 2012 by U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster, in collaboration with other federal, state, local law enforcement agencies and leaders representing several West Side community development organizations. A continuation of the DMI initiative was announced in December of 2013 in Charleston.  Over the course of the most recent DMI initiative, the Charleston Police Department and other law enforcement agencies conducted undercover operations and completed investigations that resulted in federal charges being filed against thirteen individuals. 

The DMI strategy also included a staged community intervention held at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Charleston’s West Side.  The community intervention meeting offered a rare second chance for five low-level, non-violent offenders to end their criminal activity and avoid being prosecuted, if a strict set of guidelines set by law enforcement are obeyed.  The December 12, 2013 community intervention call-in meeting was attended by offenders’ relatives, concerned citizens, and faith-based leaders from the West Side community.  The call-in meeting was coordinated and attended by federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

DMI, first implemented in High Point, North Carolina, and replicated with success in several other cities, including Huntington, W.Va., is a strategic problem-solving initiative aimed at closing down drug markets that breed crimes of violence and disorder. 

Defendant Caught with Hydrocodone, Cash and Stolen Firearms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  An Ashford, West Virginia man admitted today that he conspired with others to distribute heroin in and around Boone County, W.Va., announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  James Harry Barker, 63, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

In June of 2013, the U.S. 119 Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Barker’s home and a bar he operated called “Firebug’s,” both located in Ashford.  Officers seized cash and evidence of drug distribution such as drug packing materials.  Barker admitted that he sold several hundred heroin “stamps” in the Boone County area from the summer of 2012 through the summer of 2013.  He also admitted that the money seized from his home and business came from drug sales.

Barker faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 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. 

The U.S. 119 Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution.

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department will host a National Prescription Drug Take-Back kickoff event on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department detachment located at 6809 Ohio Avenue in St. Albans, West Virginia.

Wednesday’s kickoff event will promote awareness of the eighth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014.  As part of West Virginia’s participation in the prescription drug collection effort, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other partners will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at several designated drop-off sites throughout the state on April 26, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Past take-back events have collected a total of more than 13 tons of unwanted prescription drugs in West Virginia and 1,733 tons nationwide. For a complete list of collection locations, please visit: www.dea.gov.    

PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK KICKOFF EVENT - Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, St. Albans Detachment

WHO:     United States Attorney Booth Goodwin
Chief Deputy Mike Rutherford, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department

WHERE: Kanawha Sheriff’s Department Detachment
6809 Ohio Avenue
St. Albans, WV

WHEN:    Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Defendant Caught with Hydrocodone, Cash and Stolen Firearms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  A Jackson County man who possessed hydrocodone and stolen firearms pleaded guilty today to federal charges, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Hubert Dwayne Messer, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and possession of stolen firearms in federal court in Charleston.

In February of 2013, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Messer’s Stonelick Road residence in Gay, West Virginia and seized hydrocodone, more than $35,000, and five stolen firearms.  Messer admitted distributing oxycodone in and around Jackson County from at least 2004 until February 2013.

Messer faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2014.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s 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.  The case is also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.    

Charleston Man Caught with Pills, Heroin, Crack, Guns and Ammunition

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man with several drug trafficking and violent felony convictions who possessed oxycodone, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base (crack) and numerous firearms pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Donnell Dwayne Diego, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in federal court in Charleston.

In October of 2012 police searched Diego’s residence on Central Avenue in Charleston and seized oxycodone, crack, and two firearms.  In June and July of 2013, Diego sold methamphetamine near his residence to an informant.  Police arrested Diego after one undercover drug purchase on July 11, 2013.  Following the arrest, police again searched the residence and seized more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, more than 50 grams of heroin, ammunition, and in excess of $9,000.00 cash.  Diego admitted bringing methamphetamine and heroin from California to sell in and around Charleston.

On November 5, 2013, task force officers at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego, California seized $22,350.00 cash from Diego’s carryon bag as he disembarked from his flight.  On November 18, 2013, task force officers in Nicholas County, West Virginia executed a search warrant at Diego’s Scenic Highway residence in Summersville following several undercover methamphetamine purchases from an individual staying at the residence.  Police seized fifteen firearms, more than 30 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 10 grams of heroin, and $16,387 cash.  Diego was arrested a short distance away from the residence after a police tactical squad disabled his vehicle by shooting it.

Diego had been previously convicted of several felony offenses in California including burglary and grand theft in 2003 and drug trafficking in 2004 and 2007.  He faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 7, 2014.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) in Charleston, the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force in Summersville, the San Diego Integrated Narcotic Task Force in San Diego, California and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.

Huntington, W.Va. – Connie Lynn Whitley, 51, of South Point, Ohio, plead guilty today to embezzling $150,000 from an apartment complex that received federal funds announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Whitley was the manager of the Uptowner Inn’s public housing apartments in Huntington, West Virginia.  The apartments were subsidized by the United States Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  HUD provided federal funds to pay a portion of the market rent at the apartments for qualifying tenants.  Beginning in the summer of 2009 and continuing until September of 2013, Whitley wrote checks to herself from the apartments’ HUD accounts.  In total, Whitley stole more than $150,000 in federal HUD funds.  She faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison when she is sentenced on July 28, 2014.

The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department for Housing and Urban Development.

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Jimmy Dale Wright, 56, of Rock, West Virginia, pled guilty in federal court in Bluefield to distributing hydromorphone, a powerful and addictive prescription pain medication.  Wright admitted that in August of 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.

Wright faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber scheduled the sentencing for August 25, 2014.

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.

BLUEFIELD,  W.Va. – A 29-year old Mercer County man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday, April 21, 2014, to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.   Eric A. Hitt, of Princeton, West Virginia entered a guilty plea before Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield.

Hitt admitted that on July 16, 2013, he possessed pictures of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts.  The images were located on his personal computer. The court scheduled sentencing for August 25, 2014 in Bluefield.

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 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 a 40-year-old Kanawha County man who possessed sexually explicit images of children, including images that he produced himself, pleaded guilty today.  Stephen Wayne Laton, Jr., pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., to possession of child pornography.  In February of 2013, Laton was caught possessing images and videos of child pornography, including sexually explicit pictures and video of a minor female relative that he had taken himself.  Laton faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2014.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada 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 Man Caught with Pills, Heroin, Crack, Guns and Ammunition

Huntington, W.Va. – U. S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Julian Tucker, 26, of Huntington, West Virginia plead guilty today in federal court in Huntington to possessing heroin, cocaine and oxycodone with the intent to distribute them.  Tucker admitted that in January of 2014, while en route to Huntington with the illegal drugs, the cab in which he was travelling was stopped for speeding.  When officers discovered the drugs, Tucker was arrested and admitted that he had purchased the drugs the day before in Florida for $40,000. 

At today’s plea hearing, Tucker, who at the time of his arrest was on federal supervision for a bank robbery conviction, also admitted that traveling to Florida without permission and buying illegal drugs violated the terms of his supervised release. 

Tucker, faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000.00 fine on the drug possession charge and an additional 2 years imprisonment for violating the terms of his supervised release.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 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. – A Huntington felon was sentenced today in federal court to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal firearm possession charge, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today.  Jerry T. Kinney, 29, pleaded guilty in January of 2014 to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  United States District Court Chief Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down the sentence

On September 5, 2013, Kinney illegally possessed a .45 caliber pistol near Huntington.  After Kinney was involved in an altercation inside a Huntington bar, he retrieved the firearm and chased another bar patron down an alley, shooting several times.  Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting.

Kinney was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance in November of 2002 in Detroit, Michigan.  Kinney also was previously convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in October of 2010 in the Circuit Court of Cabell County, West Virginia.  He did not have his rights to possess a firearm restored.

The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney Gregory McVey is in charge of the prosecution. 

The case is being 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 Columbus man caught with oxycodone and heroin during an August 2013 traffic stop was sentenced to two and half years in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Antoine Walker, 27, pleaded guilty in January of 2014 to conspiracy to distribute heroin and oxycodone.  

In August of 2013, Walker’s vehicle was stopped by the Ohio Highway Patrol.  During the traffic stop, police found approximately 300 grams of heroin and 498 oxycodone pills inside the car.  Walker told police that he was en route to Huntington to deliver the drugs to an associate. 

The Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.  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 Belle man who possessed 81 firearms at his Simmons Creek Road residence pleaded guilty today to a federal firearm indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Dorsey Woolwine, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to being a felon in possession of firearms.

In March of 2012, police searched Woolwine’s home and property and seized 29 firearms including a sawed-off rifle.  A year later, another search warrant was executed at Woolwine’s residence.  This time, methamphetamine, scales, cash, and 52 additional firearms, including at least two stolen weapons, were discovered and seized.  Woolwine had been previously convicted in Kanawha County for unlawful wounding, which precluded him from possessing any firearm.  Woolwine faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 5, 2014.

Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Tina Marie Richmond, age 41, of Beckley, West Virginia was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for obtaining oxycodone by fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.     

While employed as a receptionist at a Beckley area doctor’s office, Richmond stole a prescription pad that contained the doctor’s DEA registration number.  Richmond used the pad to write prescriptions for oxycodone on which she forged the doctor’s signature.  Richmond plead guilty in December of 2013

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 Mark Randall Trump, 44, of Beckley, West Virginia was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison for defrauding Walker Machinery.  Trump was also ordered to pay $367,000 in restitution. 

Trump was a branch manager of the Walker Express Store in Crab Orchard, West Virginia.  From 2009 until April of 2012, Trump gave select customers discounts on equipment rentals if payment was made with cash or personal check.  These payments were then deposited into Trump’s personal bank account.  Trump concealed the fraud by creating rental agreements for the customers and then later deleting them from Walker Machinery’s computer system.  Trump also failed to process paperwork which would have prompted the creation of invoices. 

Through this scheme, Trump converted $90,000 to his own use and caused over $350,000 in loss to Walker Machinery.  Trump pleaded guilty in December of 2013 to the wire fraud charge.

The West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Blaire L. Malkin handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Rachelle Bryant, 24, of Bluefield, West Viriginia, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston today to fifteen months in prison for distributing hydromorphone, dangerous and addictive prescription drugs.  Bryant previously pled guilty in December of 2013, admitting that in May of 2013, she distributed two hydromorphone pills to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  The drug deal took place in Bluefield. The sentence imposed today was based on approximately 200 hydromorphone pills sold by Bryant.

Bryant was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.  The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney John File. 

This case was prosecuted under the Bluefield Pill Initiative, and was 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 today charged Darrin McCormick, 50, of Williamson, West Virginia, with making a materially false statement in a federal matter. According to the charge, filed in United States District Court in Charleston, McCormick’s false statement pertains to suspicious banking activity by Aracoma Contracting, LLC, which held an account at the Bank of Mingo, located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The charge explains that McCormick’s false statement concerned a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The charging document, referred to as an “information,” is attached.

“Federal investigations are serious matters,” said U.S. Attorney Goodwin, “and providing false information to federal investigators is a serious crime. When people try to lead investigators astray with false statements, justice suffers, and that hurts all of us.”

Today’s charge stems from an investigation being conducted by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ryan is handling the prosecution.

NOTE: An information is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Charleston, W.Va. – A 49-year-old man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Charleston for threatening to murder United States Senator Joseph Manchin, III.  According to the four-count indictment, Steven Anthony Major, of Barboursville, W.Va., is alleged to have made four separate threats to murder Senator Manchin from March 17 through March 20, 2014. 

Major was arrested on Friday, March 21, 2014, on a federal criminal complaint.  The complaint alleged that Major made multiple calls to Senator Manchin’s Charleston and D.C. offices.  During the calls, Major identified himself and made violent threats against Senator Manchin and his family members.

Major faces up to 10 years in prison on each count, if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Capitol Police, and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution.

Click here for a copy of the indictment. 

Note: The charge contained in the indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Robbery occurred at drug dealer’s 10th Street apartment in Huntington

Huntington, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Kamel Auntae Burris, 31, of Huntington plead guilty today in federal court in Huntington to using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  In November of 2013, Burris, who was wearing a mask, robbed a known drug dealer at gun point.  The robbery occurred at the drug dealer’s apartment on 10th Street in Huntington. 

This case arose out of a joint law enforcement investigation of Kenneth Dewitt Newman and his organization for the distribution of illegal drugs in the Huntington area.  The Newman organization was responsible for the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, prescription pills, MDMA (a street drug akin to Ecstasy) and marijuana.  The investigation led to the indictment of 15 defendants, including Burris, for their various roles in the conspiracy.  Burris has been described as an enforcer for the Newman organization.  Burris faces up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on July 28, 2014.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Huntington Police Department, Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive.  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 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 Charleston, West Virginia felon who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.   Curtis Watkins, 25, previously pleaded guilty in October of 2013 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.  

In September of 2012, Watkins illegally possessed a loaded 9-millimeter pistol near Sistah’s Rib Shack on the West Side of Charleston.  Watkins was previously convicted in October of 2009 of felony possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack.”  Watkins was still on federal supervision for the felony drug conviction when he was found with the gun.  Watkins received an additional sentence of 12 months, to be served consecutively to the felon-in-possession sentence, for violating the terms of his supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department and the 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.

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Second Annual Walk/Run for Justice 5K Set to kick off at Noon 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, along with victim advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement and others will host an event at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston TODAY in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week  Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster and Lt. Keith Vititoe with Kanawha County Sheriff Office are invited speakers.  This event is being held in conjunction with the nationwide observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which began on April 6.  The ceremony today is being held in conjunction with the 14th Annual Operation Reach Out.  Operation Reach Out is a collaboration of federal, state and local organizations that was formed to raise awareness for NCVRW in West Virginia.  This year’s theme for week is “30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice.”

WHO:    Chief Brent Webster, Charleston Police Department
Lt. Keith Vititoe, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Staff representing local and statewide advocacy programs
Survivors of crime
Various federal, state and local officials

WHERE: Haddad Riverfront Park
Kanawha Boulevard Charleston, WV

WHEN:   TODAY, April 10, 2014

TIME:     The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the Walk/Run for Justice 5K will kick off at noon. 
Route:  Haddad Riverfront Park to the West Virginia State Capitol Complex and back.

Defendant allowed her residences to be used for drug trafficking

Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Alexus Motley, 21, of Charleston, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston  to six months imprisonment for her participation in an illegal pill distribution ring.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston.  Motley had previously plead guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, Opana, and Xanax - dangerous and addictive prescription drugs.  

In March of 2012, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”) began investigating drug dealers who travelled from New York to West Virginia to distribute prescription pain pills.  In April of 2012, MDENT searched an apartment at 818 ½ West Avenue in Charleston, rented in Motley’s name.  Officers found a gun, $3,740 in cash, 520 Xanax pills, 93 oxycodone pills, marijuana and documents belonging to Santiago Zacharie and Walter Parris.  Motley had turned over occupancy of the apartment to Zacharie and Parris, who she knew were transporting oxycodone, Opana, Xanax, and other controlled substances from New York to the Charleston area for distribution. Motley also knew that Zacharie and Parris were using the West Avenue apartment as a “stash” house to store their pills.   Zacharie and Parris have both been convicted for their roles in the distribution ring and sentenced to 27 months and 37 months, respectively. 

In June of 2012, MDENT was conducting surveillance of Motley’s residence on Park Drive in Charleston.  Officers had information that Ajamu Osborne, a fugitive, was inside the residence.  Officers observed Osborne leave the residence and ride away on a bicycle.  Officers arrested Osborne and recovered a bag containing 98 oxycodone 30 mg pills.  A search of Motley’s Park Drive residence uncovered an additional 60 oxycodone 30 mg pills, a quantity of “Molly” (MDMA), a street drug akin to “Ecstasy,” 10 Opana pills, and approximately $15,000 in cash.  Obsorne has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2014.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman 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.