Northern District of West Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Maryland man admits to fentanyl chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Anthony Matthews, age 34, of Baltimore, Maryland, has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Matthews and a co-defendant supplied fentanyl to at least 10 others who live in the Moorefield/Petersburg area of West Virginia. The others traveled to Matthews’ apartment and purchased fentanyl on hundreds of occasions, each time purchasing more than a personal-use quantity for the purpose of sales in West Virginia.
Matthews is facing up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Civil rights hotline created for federal prison in West VirginiaRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Federal authorities have established a hotline for information related to civil rights abuses occurring at Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Hazelton, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking information from persons who may have witnessed or were victims of physical assault while incarcerated at FCC Hazelton, which is located in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. Any witness or victim to any such crimes or attempts to conceal such crimes are asked to directly contact federal prosecutors in the Northern District of West Virginia by calling 1-855-WVA-FEDS, by sending an email to [email protected], or by using the standardized complaint form here.
Waco Oil and Gas Reaches Agreement with U.S. and State of West Virginia to pay $825,000 Fine and Restore Creeks and WetlandsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of West Virginia, reached a proposed consent decree yesterday with Waco Oil and Gas Co. Inc. to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and West Virginia state law for unauthorized discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States in Braxton County, West Virginia.
Under a proposed consent decree filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Waco Oil and Gas agreed to pay a $825,000 penalty, restore the vast majority of the impacted waters and provide compensatory mitigation for waters that cannot be restored. Additionally, the company will place a deed restriction on its property to protect the restored waters in perpetuity.
A filed complaint alleged that beginning in approximately 2017, Waco Oil and Gas discharged dredged or fill material into tributaries of Bear Run and adjacent wetlands as well as tributaries of Cunningham Fork without the required federal or state permits.
“Clean water is vital for our communities and the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Today’s action demonstrates that the Justice Department, together with its state and federal partners, is fully committed to upholding the Clean Water Act and protecting this critical resource.”
“EPA remains committed to vigorous enforcement of wetlands protections,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement makes clear that companies will not be allowed to profit from illegally filling wetlands and imperiling the health of the Nation’s rivers and streams.”
“EPA is serious about enforcing regulations to protect the shared resources upon which we all rely." said Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz for EPA. "Outcomes like this remind land developers across West Virginia that the health of their business and the health of the environment are totally connected."
ENRD’s Environmental Defense Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia are handling the case.
The consent decree is available for public viewing at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. The United States will publish a notice of the consent decree’s lodging with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia in the Federal Register and will accept public comment for 30 days after the notice is published. The Federal Register notice will also include instructions for submitting public comment.
IRS Consultant Charged with Disclosing Tax Return Information to News OrganizationsRead the Press Release
An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) consultant was charged today with disclosing tax return information without authorization.
According to court documents, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., while working at the IRS as a government contractor, stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official (Public Official A) and disclosed it to a news organization (News Organization 1). Littlejohn also stole tax return information for thousands of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, and disclosed this tax return information to another news organization (News Organization 2).
Littlejohn is charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Trevor Nelson of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.
TIGTA is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
A criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wheeling man indicted for defrauding investors, tax evasionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeffrey James Morris, age 36, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been indicted on twenty-eight counts of wire fraud and tax evasion in connection with the defrauding of investors and employees of his real estate development company.
Morris, the managing member and majority owner of Roxby Development, LLC, was charged yesterday by a special grand jury in Wheeling with eighteen counts of wire fraud and ten counts of failure to pay taxes. Morris, who was arrested earlier this month on one count of wire fraud, is accused of making misrepresentations to induce individuals to invest in Ohio County real estate, to include the McClure House hotel, the Mount Carmel Monastery, and the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
According to the indictment, Morris received nearly $7 million from approximately twenty investors. Morris allegedly used investor funds to pay for credit card transactions unrelated to Roxby renovations, to pay the debts of a company unrelated to Roxby, to pay personal expenses, and to pay other investors. He is accused of misrepresenting the status of improvements made to the properties to induce additional investment and to lull investors into not taking action for failing to comply with their agreements. Morris allegedly used deception to induce the sale of properties to him, to include providing false screenshots of bank account balances, and to have misled potential lenders by not disclosing all the payables of the Roxby entities.
Morris is also charged with withholding taxes from his employees’ pay checks but then failing to pay over $252,000 to the Internal Revenue Service, to include Medicare and social security taxes.
“Many were harmed by the actions of Jeffery Morris, including investors, employees, and vendors,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI and IRS-CI, Mr. Morris will be held accountable.”
“Mr. Morris is accused of taking advantage of innocent investors and creating a deceptive scheme for his own personal gain,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “The FBI will relentlessly pursue those who attempt to defraud and mislead people in our community.”
U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-CI.
A jury trial has been scheduled for November 14, 2023, at 9:00 am.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
West Virginia man sentenced for methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jonathon Andrew Swiger, age 35, of Belington, West Virginia, was sentenced to 172 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Swiger traveled from Marietta, Ohio, to Upshur County, West Virginia, to sell methamphetamine. A search of Swiger’s vehicle yielded methamphetamine, a gun, a black safe, and $2,997.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
U.S. Attorney’s Office plans civil rights and social services expoRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – The United States Attorney’s Office will partner with West Virginia Northern Community College to host a civil rights and social services expo next week.
The event will take place on September 27 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the B&O building on Market Street in Wheeling. Several local agencies will participate, offering informational booths on topics to include fair housing, disability rights, and childcare.
Paws 4 People, a non-profit service animal organization, will offer service dog demonstrations throughout the day.
Other participating organizations include the Seeing Hand Association, the United Way, Harmony House, CASA, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Disability Rights of WV, Wheeling Health Right, the WV Child Advocacy Network, the Wheeling Human Rights Commission, the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling, Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, the Child Care Resource Center, the Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network, and the Sexual Assault Help Center.
The event is free and open to the public.
This event is one of several outreach efforts within the Northern District of West Virginia.
To learn more about the District’s civil rights work, or to report a civil rights violation, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/civil-rights-program.
Hancock County manufacturer to pay $1.9 million for environmental violationsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Messer, LLC, an industrial gas manufacturing facility located in New Cumberland, West Virginia, will pay a $1.9 million civil penalty for violations of its Clean Water Act permit and the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act.
The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into waters of the United States, except in compliance with a permit issued by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Messer, LLC’s permit imposed limits for the discharge of specific pollutants, including copper, aluminum, iron, residual chlorine, and phenolics. According to court documents, Messer, LLC exceeded permit limits when it discharged pollutants into the Ohio River on at least 186 occasions since February 2016.
“We all have a right to safe and clean drinking water, and whenever that right is threatened the Justice Department will take action,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
In addition to the civil penalty, Messer, LLC must take steps to prevent future violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, including the construction of a new treatment system at its New Cumberland facility, implementation of a response plan in the instance of future violations, mandatory internal inspections, and quarterly reporting requirements to federal and state agencies.
The civil penalty will be equally divided between the U. S. Department of Justice and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maximillian Nogay served as local counsel for the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U. S. Department of Justice in this matter.
A Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court on September 11, 2023. Messer, LLC did not admit any liability to the United States or the State of West Virginia arising out of the transactions or occurrences alleged in the complaint.
West Virginia man sentenced for federal drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Erik Lee Kurz, age 29, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced September 18, 2023 to 5 years in federal prison for heroin, fentanyl, and firearms charges.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kurz, also known as “Edub,’ worked with others to sell heroin and fentanyl from Baltimore, Maryland to Hampshire and Mineral Counties in West Virginia. Investigators found several firearms and ammunition in his vehicle and found fentanyl and additional firearms in his home.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
West Virginia man charged with wire fraud in elder justice caseRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph M. Beach, age 54, of Inwood, West Virginia, has been indicted for misappropriation by a fiduciary, wire fraud, theft of government property, false written statement, and false statement to federal agent.
According to court documents, Beach was appointed as fiduciary for his father in late 2017. Beach’s father is under the care of a veterans’ care facility and receives monthly benefits. As the fiduciary, Beach received his father’s veteran’s disability, retirement, and social security payments and used them for his own benefit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the Social Security Administration investigated.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia man admits to obstructing Tree of Life trialRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Hardy Carroll Lloyd, age 45, of Follansbee, West Virginia, pled guilty today to obstruction of the due administration of justice.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lloyd admitted to making online threats to jurors and witnesses involved in the federal hate crimes trial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter. Lloyd, a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement, distributed threatening social media posts, website comments, and emails during the trial. As part of his plea agreement, Lloyd stipulated that he intentionally selected the jury and government witnesses in the Bowers trial as the targets of his offense due to the actual or perceived Jewish religion of the witnesses and the Bowers victims.
“Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “His guilty plea underscores that anyone who attempts to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
“Hardy Lloyd’s crime was motivated by hate and there is no place for that in our society,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “He tried to undermine our system of justice by targeting the Jewish community and now will pay a steep price for his abhorrent conduct.”
“Mr. Lloyd thought he could get away with making threats against members of a jury to influence their decisions and now he’ll be accountable for his actions,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Mr. Lloyd’s words go far beyond speech that is protected by the constitution and cannot be tolerated. The FBI will vigorously pursue those like Mr. Lloyd who threaten and intimidate others based upon biases and personal differences.”
If the agreement is accepted by the court, Lloyd will be sentenced to 78 months in prison, which is expected to be the highest end of the sentencing range calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
West Virginia Man Admits to Obstructing Tree of Life TrialRead the Press Release
Hardy Carroll Lloyd, 45, of Follansbee, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to obstruction of the due administration of justice.
“Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “His guilty plea underscores that anyone who attempts to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
“It is absolutely reprehensible that the defendant threatened witnesses and jurors in the Tree of Life case, a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and emotionally scarred many in the Jewish community,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will not tolerate the intimidation of citizens participating in our criminal justice system, and we will work with our partners to hold legally accountable anyone who threatens or carries out acts of violence against them.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lloyd admitted to making online threats to jurors and witnesses involved in the federal hate crimes trial in Pittsburgh of Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter. Lloyd, a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement, distributed threatening social media posts, website comments, and emails during the trial. As part of his plea agreement, Lloyd stipulated that he intentionally selected the jury and government witnesses in the Bowers trial as the targets of his offense due to the actual or perceived Jewish religion of the witnesses and the Bowers victims.
If the agreement is accepted by the court, Lloyd will be sentenced to 78 months in prison, which is expected to be the highest end of the sentencing range calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI is investigating the case.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
West Virginia man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jerry Wayne Ricketts, age 43, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ricketts used the Kik app on his phone to upload images and videos of child pornography. Officers conducted a search of his home and another home in which he uploaded some of the images. Ricketts admitted to using both residences to upload images and videos and accessing the dark web. A review of his phone revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, including minors under the age of 12.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
French man sentenced for international tax schemeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ayodele Arasokun, age 46, of Paris, France, was sentenced today in West Virginia to 34 years in federal prison for orchestrating an international tax scheme.
Arakosun was convicted by a jury in October 2022 of twenty-one counts of wire fraud and aggravated identify theft. According to court documents and statements made in court, Arasokun coordinated a scheme to file 1,701 false returns and claim $9.1 million in refunds, with West Virginia residents among the victims.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Arasokun had the money transferred to pre-paid debit cards and checking accounts that he was monitoring. The investigation revealed approximately 700 U.S.-based accounts containing more than $50 million was being tracked by the defendant. A total of $2.2 million in fraudulent refunds were actually paid by the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Cogar and Eleanor Hurney.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) - Cybercrime Investigations Division, and the IRS-CI, Los Angeles field office investigated.
TIGTA investigates abuses of the IRS’s online electronic portals, including the Electronic Filing Pin application, which was compromised in this case.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Morgantown physician charged with tax fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – David M. Anderson, age 62, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has been charged with filing a false tax return.
According to court documents, Anderson, a physician, filed false tax returns that understated his taxable income.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia man sentenced for methamphetamine and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Hugh Kendall Shumaker, age 64, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced to thirteen years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Shumaker, also known as “Kenny,” was identified during an investigation as a source of crystal methamphetamine for other distributors in Hampshire County and elsewhere. Officers conducted a search of his home and found methamphetamine, 31 firearms, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided
West Virginia man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Dakota Brian Whetzel, age 25, of Romney, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the West Virginia State Police received a cybertip about child pornography that led to a search warrant of Whetzel’s apartment. Officers seized electronic devices and found hundreds of child pornography images, some depicting children under the age of 12.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Wheeling businessman charged with wire fraudRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeffrey James Morris, age 36, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was charged today with wire fraud.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Morris is charged with fraudulently inducing an individual to provide him with funds to renovate the Scottish Rite Cathedral, a building located at the corner of Fourteenth and Byron Streets in East Wheeling. It is alleged that Morris, who is the managing member and majority owner of Roxby Development, LLC, caused an investor to provide him with $350,000 to rehabilitate the Cathedral but instead used the funds for other purposes. It is further alleged that Morris misrepresented work performed upon the Cathedral, the status of the historic tax credits, and the amount of rental income from a purported tenant.
The principal purpose of Roxby Development, LLC, was to acquire and develop real estate in the region, to include the Cathedral, the McClure House Hotel, and the Mount Carmel Monastery. The Roxby companies received a total of $6.9 million dollars from approximately twenty investors between October 2019 until July 2022.
“Jeffrey Morris made misrepresentations to people in Wheeling, West Virginia, and throughout the country in order to fund a fraudulent scheme,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “His arrest today brings an end to a ruse in which innocent investors were tricked into providing him with millions of dollars.”
According to Ihlenfeld, additional charges will be filed at a later date. Today’s charge and arrest were necessitated by Morris’s plan to travel outside of the United States next week. Morris appeared in federal court this afternoon where he surrendered his passport and then was released under terms and conditions imposed by the court.
U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-CI.
Morris is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
West Virginia man sentenced for federal firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jessie Ross Duke, age 36, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for theft from a federal firearms licensee.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Duke broke into a licensed firearms dealer in Fairmont, stealing multiple long guns and handguns. Of the 13 firearms stolen, six were recovered nearby shortly after the burglary. Duke had previously stolen firearms from a licensed dealer in South Carolina and committed several other break-ins and robberies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
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West Virginia woman sentenced for federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Angela Nicole Chapman, age 35, of Shinnston, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Chapman and her boyfriend, Larry Gregory, distributed methamphetamine from their residence in Shinnston, West Virginia, for several months in the summer and fall of 2020. Law enforcement executed search warrants at their residence on two occasions. During the first search, agents recovered almost two pounds of methamphetamine, two firearms, and $17,205. In the second incident, the U.S Postal Inspector found a suspicious package mailed from Los Angeles, California, to Chapman’s home. Agents then conducted a controlled delivery of the package. Chapman retrieved the package from her front porch and took it into the home. Agents searched the residence and recovered the package, which contained an additional pound of methamphetamine and $1,300.
Co-defendant Gregory was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Shinnston Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
West Virginia man charged with failing to registerRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott David Bixler, age 42, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has been charged with failure to update his sex offender registration.
According to court documents, Bixler, a registered sex offender, and his wife traveled from their home in Morgantown to Mexico, crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Bixler didn’t inform the West Virginia State Police, as required, of his international travel plans. The Bixlers were arrested in Mexico for possession of methamphetamine after authorities there learned that Bixler was attempting to purchase a 7-year-old girl for $5,000. At the time of the arrest, Bixler and his wife had two tranquilizer air guns and a cellphone signal jammer in their possession.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia doctor indicted on assault chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tracey H. Reilly, age 53, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, has been charged with abusive sexual contact and simple assault.
According to court documents, Reilly, a physician employed with Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, allegedly touched another employee’s breasts and buttocks with the intent of harassing and/or humiliating the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Veterans Affairs Police and the VA Office of Inspector General investigated.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two men sentenced on federal drug chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men were sentenced today on federal drug distribution charges.
William Trice, age 32, of Eastpointe, Michigan, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Trice was the leader of a Detroit-area drug trafficking organization that was selling heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in Morgantown.
Another defendant, Dayshawn Burton, age 28, of Hamilton, Ohio, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Burton was one of the distributors for Trice and sold methamphetamine to an informant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration Clarksburg RO; the FBI Clarksburg RA; the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; WVU Police Department; the DEA Cincinnati District Office; the DEA Detroit Field Division; and the FBI Detroit.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
West Virginia man admits to federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA –Steven Michael Hawley, age 36, of Moorefield, West Virginia, has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hawley worked with others to sell methamphetamine in Moorefield and from a house on Fitzwater Drive in Hardy County. Hawley, was the last of five co-conspirators to plead guilty.
Hawley is facing up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
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Maryland man admits to federal firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Quinton Vaughn Baker, age 25, of Cumberland, Maryland, has pled guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Baker admitted to falsifying documents at a licensed firearms dealer in Mineral County to purchase a 9mm pistol. Baker claimed on the form that he lived in West Virginia despite residing in Maryland and stating that the firearm was for his personal use, knowing the firearm was meant for someone else. As a part of the plea agreement, Baker has agreed to forfeit 20 firearms.
Baker is facing up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
West Virginia man ordered detained following federal indictmentRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Follansbee, West Virginia, man has been ordered detained following his indictment on charges related to a federal hate crimes trial in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Hardy Carroll Lloyd, age 45, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone this morning for an arraignment and detention hearing. Judge Mazzone heard testimony about Lloyd’s alleged criminal conduct, which included online threats about the federal hate crimes trial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter.
Lloyd was indicted yesterday on charges of obstruction of the due administration of justice, transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce, and witness tampering. According to court documents, Lloyd, a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement, made threatening social media posts, website comments, and emails towards the jury and witnesses during the trial. Lloyd also placed or had others place stickers in predominantly Jewish areas of Pittsburgh, directing people to the website containing his threats and antisemitic messages.
Lloyd’s trial is scheduled for October 31, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey. Lloyd, who was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, faces up to 10 years in prison for the obstruction charge, up to five years for the threats charge, and up to 20 in prison for the tampering charge. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia man admits to federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Cedric Pierre Young, age 32, of Fairmont, West Virginia, has pled guilty to distribution of heroin and fentanyl in proximity to a protected location.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Young, also known as “Billy,” sold heroin and fentanyl near Fifth Street Park playground and the Marion County Adult and Community Education Center, both in Marion County. A search of two properties connected to Young yielded hundreds of grams of fentanyl.
Young faces at least one and up to 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Three Rivers Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
West Virginia woman sentenced for drug trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Keisha Rae Ogline, age 33, of Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers conducted a search of Ogline’s home and vehicle and found methamphetamine, pills containing fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as digital scales and several firearms. The home was equipped with a video surveillance security system.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
West Virginia man sentenced for federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – James Ray Arbogast, age 57, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Arbogast sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant from his Elkins home on several occasions. The sales were caught on video, which shows Arbogast weighing the drugs on a digital scale.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Mountain Region Drug Task Force.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
West Virginia man sentenced for federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew Scott Mayle, age 37, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Mayle sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer on two separate occasions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office offers “United Against Hate” civil rights eventRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The United States Attorney’s Office will offer a civil rights outreach event in the Eastern Panhandle.
“United Against Hate: Protecting the People of West Virginia” will take place at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney on Tuesday, August 22 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The event will highlight the Department of Justice United Against Hate initiative and explore other civil rights topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act.
The West Virginia State Bar is offering legal education credits. The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is providing social work education credits. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is one of several outreach efforts within the Northern District of West Virginia.
To learn more about the District’s civil rights work, or to report a civil rights violation, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/civil-rights-program.
United Against Hate is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to combat unlawful acts of hate. This initiative will connect federal, state, and local law enforcement with communities to help build trust and encourage people to report hate crimes and incidents.
Pennsylvania man sentenced for federal firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Shannon Lee Karns, age 56, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for the transfer of a firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Karns, also known as “Ribeye,” sold two unregistered firearm silencers to an undercover officer in Wetzel County. A later search of Karns’s garage uncovered a tool bag with dozens of additional silencers and parts. In total, 58 unregistered silencers or parts designed and intended for use in assembling a silencer were recovered.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Ohio man sentenced for methamphetamine traffickingRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - An Ohio man was sentenced to prison today on federal drug trafficking charges.
Anthony Dwayne Mack, age 42, of Zanesville, Ohio, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Mack traveled from Ohio to Elkins, supplying methamphetamine to others to sell in the area. During a traffic stop, officers found a large amount of methamphetamine in the car, along with nearly $2,000, a digital scale, and baggies.
In a separate case, William Albert Flinn, Jr., age 44, of Moorefield, West Virginia, pled guilty to a possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. According to court documents, Flinn had possessed a large quantity of methamphetamine and a semi-automatic rifle during his drug trafficking crime in Hardy County.
Flinn faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison for the drug charge and faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.
The Mountain Region Drug Task Force investigated the Mack case. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the Flinn case.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over the Mack hearing.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the Flinn hearing.
West Virginia man arrested for threatening Pittsburgh federal juryRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Follansbee, West Virginia, man was arrested today on criminal charges related to his alleged obstruction and witness tampering in a federal trial.
Hardy Carroll Lloyd, age 45, was taken into custody early this morning without incident. According to the criminal complaint, Lloyd began commenting online about the federal hate crimes trial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter. Lloyd, a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement, made threatening social media posts, website comments, and emails towards the jury and witnesses during the trial. Lloyd also placed or had others place stickers in predominantly Jewish areas of Pittsburgh, directing people to the website containing his threats and antisemitic messages.
“Jury trials are a hallmark of the American justice system and attempts to intimidate witnesses or jurors will be met with a strong response,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The use of hateful threats in an effort to undermine a trial is especially troubling.”
"The safety and security of all citizens in our communities is a priority for the FBI," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. "Threats of violence used to intimidate or influence a community or jury cannot and will not be tolerated. The FBI makes it a priority to investigate crimes based on religious bias. In this case, the Jewish community was specifically targeted by these threats. I want to thank the community for sharing information that helped lead to today's arrest."
Lloyd is charged with obstruction of the due administration of justice, transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce, and witness tampering. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the obstruction charge, up to five years for the threats charge, and up to 20 in prison for the tampering charge. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Virginia man sentenced for federal gun chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Lee Gordon, age 36, of Rio, West Virginia, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by prohibited person.
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers were called to Gordon’s home for a welfare check and destruction of property complaint reported by his girlfriend. Gordon left the home shortly after officers were dispatched. When officers arrived on scene, they found Gordon in his car in a ditch. Deputies recovered three rifles, two shotguns, and four pistols in Gordon’s vehicle. Gordon was convicted of domestic violence in Mineral County in 2009, and thus is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office; and the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Four sentenced in Eastern Panhandle drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Four men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an Eastern Panhandle drug trafficking operation.
Kirk Leon Grantham, age 45, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced today to 57 months for the distribution of controlled substances. Grantham was the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy and worked with others in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties to sell cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Three of Grantham’s co-defendants were also sentenced, as follows:
- Julian Demont Pace, age 48, of Bunker Hill, West Virginia was sentenced to 41 months.
- Ronald Lee Jackson, age 36, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 15 months.
- William Brown, age 75, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to three years of probation.
Pace, Jackson, and Brown each have multiple prior drug trafficking convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The FBI and the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Virginia woman sentenced for federal firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Hope Julia Clemons, age 33, of Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Clemons illegally purchased firearms in the Eastern Panhandle to be trafficked in the Washington, D.C. area. On at least two occasions, Clemons purchased firearms at gun dealers in Berkeley County, falsely stating on the required forms that the weapons were for her personal use. Clemons then gave the firearms to co-defendant Tyrone Greenfield to sell in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Clemons used a West Virginia state identification, secured by Greenfield, to make the purchases. Greenfield was sentenced earlier this year to 110 months in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Harpers Ferry Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Read more about the initial indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/west-virginia-maryland-and-washington-dc-residents-indicted-firearms-and-drug
Maryland woman guilty of role in international drug operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ana Ercilia Luna, age 38, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty today to a drug conspiracy charge.
According to court documents, Luna would assist drug customers at Top 3 Sources, a business in Hagerstown that was being used to distribute hundreds of grams of illegal substances. Luna also smuggled drug proceeds to the Dominican Republic and deposited proceeds into the Top 3 Sources bank account.
Luna faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; The Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia Air National Guard, the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative (agencies included are the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department, Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, and Martinsburg City Police Department); West Virginia State Police; Customs and Border Protection; the Hagerstown Police Department; the National Resources Police Department; FBI-New York Safe Streets Task Force; the New York Police Department; the New Jersey State Police; the Washington County (Maryland) Drug Task Force; the Maryland State Police; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Read more about the initial indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/34-indicted-expansive-drug-trafficking-operation
California man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking crimeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Andres Dominguez, age 25, of San Diego, California, pled guilty today to a drug conspiracy charge.
According to court documents, Dominguez was a money courier for a drug supply chain that stretched from the Southwest border to Ohio and West Virginia. Dominguez flew into the Pittsburgh International Airport on several occasions to collect cash payments for drugs. He would then fly to California to deliver the cash to the supplier. Dominguez helped to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
Dominguez faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which includes officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Belmont County (OH) Sheriff’s Office and the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office provided important assistance. The investigation was supported by the ATF, the Marshall County Drug Task Force, and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, the Allegheny County (PA) Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Read more about the initial indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-indictment-cuts-major-source-west-virginia-drug-supply
U.S. Attorney’s Office Supports National Night OutRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld and his staff will celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1.
National Night Out is an annual initiative coordinated by law enforcement agencies across the country, bringing community members and law enforcement together to build positive relationships and create safer communities.
“National Night Out showcases first responders and strengthens the bonds between police and the communities they serve,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.
Law enforcement agencies throughout West Virginia have planned events filled with food and fun to include swimming, games, face painting, bounce houses, giveaways, educational materials and personal interaction with safety vehicles and the heroes that operate them.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in events at the following locations:
- Wheeling: Wheeling Park Ice Rink from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Clarksburg: Veteran’s Memorial Park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Bridgeport: The Bridge Sports Complex beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- Martinsburg: War Memorial Park main pavilion from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Ranson: The Home Depot at Potomac Marketplace from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For more information on National Night Out, visit https://natw.org/.
Three men sentenced for drug trafficking in the Eastern PanhandleRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three men were sentenced to federal prison in separate cases for drug trafficking in the Eastern Panhandle.
Cortney Lamar Jenkins, age 34, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 15 years for a drug charge involving a trafficking operation that sold cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin in Berkeley County over a five-year period. Jenkins acknowledged that the heroin and fentanyl he sold had caused two individuals to overdose. A search of Jenkins’s house and vehicle yielded nearly $20,000 in cash, cocaine, marijuana, THC cartridges, and drug paraphernalia. Jenkins has six prior drug trafficking convictions, including a prior federal drug trafficking conviction, with a criminal history that spanned over twenty years.
Randy Stephen Humphrey, age 35, of Martinsburg, was sentenced to 12 and half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. Humphrey worked with others to sell hundreds of grams of cocaine in Berkeley County. The investigation revealed that Humphrey transported cocaine from New York to Martinsburg and hid proceeds from the drug sales in another’s bank account. Humphrey has an extensive criminal history that includes drug trafficking and illegal firearms.
Glenn Caj’mere Civo Watlington, III, also known as “Chris,” age 29, of Parkville, Maryland, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for a drug conspiracy charge. Watlington worked with others to sell cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. During the course of the investigation, officers seized drugs, firearms, ammunition, and thousands of dollars in cash. Watlington has a criminal history including drug trafficking, firearms, and violence.
The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated the cases. Agencies include the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Ranson Police Department; and the Charles Town Police Department.
The Humphrey case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Two plead guilty to domestic violence related chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have admitted to federal charges related to domestic violence.
Derik Wayne Bowers, age 44, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty today to one count of stalking. According to court documents, Bowers harassed and intimidated his ex-girlfriend in Berkeley County following their break-up, sometimes using social media to undermine her online business. Despite an emergency protection order granted to the victim, Bowers placed more than 800 phone calls to her during a 48-hour period and sent nearly 2,000 text messages in six months.
In a separate case, Rodney Allen Mayhew, age 43, of Martinsburg, pled guilty to one count unlawful possession of a firearm. According to the plea agreement, officers were called to Mayhew’s home to serve a protective order involving domestic violence. When officers arrived, Mayhew admitted to having firearms in the bedroom. Officers recovered two pistols and a rifle.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will aggressively pursue those engaged in domestic violence, in order to protect victims as well as the public at large,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
Bowers is facing up to five years in prison. Mayhew is facing up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the Bowers case. The Mayhew case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett is prosecuting the Bowers case on behalf of the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane is prosecuting the Mayhew case.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
U.S. Attorney’s Office will announce winner of drug prevention PSA contestRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be announcing the high school winner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Drug Prevention Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest this weekend at the 77th Annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld asked high schools in the Northern District of West Virginia to create a drug-free message to share with students, encouraging them to spread the message of the dangers of drugs to their peers.
The contest was open to all high schools in the 32 counties of the Northern District of West Virginia. Students were encouraged to write, act, and produce in their own television PSA, promoting a drug-free high school.
All videos were judged by a panel of law enforcement partners and public affairs professionals from across the country, including those from other U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The winner will receive an award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the game, and the PSA will be shared on the stadium’s large screen and scoreboard.
The OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game is Saturday, July 22 beginning at 7:15 p.m.at Wheeling Island Stadium.
New Jersey woman indicted for investment fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A New Jersey woman has been charged in an international investment scheme involving the alleged theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Diana Mae Cazenas Fernandez, also known as “Diana Fernandez Koporan,” “Dana Fernandez,” and “Dajana Ko,” 37, of Bergenfield, New Jersey and Serbia, has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud. According to court documents, Fernandez operated companies called “The Self Made Success” and “Diana Mae K., LLC” and used social media and email to solicit investors, offering “no-risk” and “guaranteed” investment opportunities.
Multiple victims, including one from Marion County, West Virginia, invested an aggregate amount of over $300,000. When it was time to deliver returns on the investments, Fernandez made false claims as to why dividends couldn’t be paid and then used investors’ money for her own benefit.
Fernandez was arrested in Serbia where she is being held pending extradition. She faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The FBI investigated the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Florida woman charged with defrauding elderly West Virginia manRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Florida woman has been charged in a scheme to steal from an elderly West Virginia man who suffered from dementia.
Wendy Renee Bunner, age 47, of Spring Hill, Florida, was indicted today for money laundering and lying to a federal agent. Bunner is alleged to have aided and abetted her husband, Samuel Bunner, in obtaining a $280,318.73 cashier’s check from a United Bank account belonging to the victim in order to purchase real property in Charles Town, West Virginia. Wendy Bunner is also charged with lying to a federal agent about the sale of a condominium in Hawaii that once belonged to the victim.
Samuel Bunner was originally charged in May with wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. He is now joined by his wife in a superseding indictment which alleges that together they befriended the victim when all three were living in Charles Town. Samuel Bunner obtained a power of attorney from the victim and then he and Wendy Bunner used it to enrich themselves by selling the victim’s real estate, emptying his investment and bank accounts, and opening a credit card in his name, causing a total alleged loss to the victim of more than two million dollars.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida and FBI-Tampa assisted with the matter.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Martinsburg man admits to falsifying passport to flee the United StatesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia, man has admitted to illegally obtaining a passport to travel overseas, violating a court order.
Bobby Allen Stark, age 52, pled guilty today to a charge of making a false statement in application for a passport. Stark was on bond from a charge pending in Colorado and was ordered to surrender his passport. Four days following the surrender of his passport, he applied for a new one, claiming his passport was lost. Stark then used his new passport to flee to Guyana, where he was later apprehended by authorities.
Stark is facing up to 10 years in prison. He will be sentenced at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The U.S. Marshals Service and the Guyana Federal Police assisted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Wheeling man admits to sale of fentanyl pillsRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia, man has admitted to the distribution of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
Rashun Rafael Suncar, also known as “Blackie,” 36, pled guilty today to the distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents, Suncar sold pills stamped as the prescription medication Percocet that contained fentanyl near the Elks Playground in East Wheeling. Agents obtained a search warrant for Suncar’s residence where they recovered additional drugs along with a 9mm Taurus pistol.
Suncar faces a up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking a sentencing enhancement against Suncar because of the firearm found in his home.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Nogay is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
New Jersey woman indicted in email compromise schemeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Jersey City, New Jersey, woman has been indicted on charges involving wire fraud related to a real estate transaction of more than $330,000.
Michelle Graham, 27, was indicted on two counts involving a wire fraud conspiracy. According to court documents, Graham was involved in a scheme that caused a Hampshire County law firm to send proceeds from a real estate sale to a business account she had opened in New Jersey. The parties to the real estate transaction intended the proceeds to be sent to pay off the seller’s lender, not to Graham, who was not part of the transaction. Graham then spent nearly $30,000 of the money before the fraud was detected. Items purchased included a Louis Vuitton handbag, a laptop, furniture, and a purchase at a used luxury car dealership.
If convicted, Graham faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the two wire fraud charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. The Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two sentenced to a combined 23 years for bank robberies in West Virginia, Virginia, and PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Virginia couple was sentenced today for bank robberies that spanned three states.
William Birdsall, 51, of Boones Mill, Virginia, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to bank robbery. Jaqueline Elizabeth Havens, 56, also of Boones Mill, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for disposing of the money that was stolen.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh heard testimony today that Birdsall carried out a series of bank robberies in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania over an eight-month span, stealing more than $162,000. The targeted banks in West Virginia were the Bank of Romney, in Augusta; Summit Community Bank, in Rupert; and M&T Bank in Fort Ashby. Following the robberies, Havens assisted Birdsall with hiding the money and spending the proceeds on three vehicles, Havens’ mortgage, and a down payment on land. Birdsall previously served a 15-year sentence for robbing six banks in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Nevada in 2004 and 2005.
Birdsall must pay $162,475 in restitution, and Havens is jointly responsible for $129,300 of that amount. The judge ordered Birdsall and Havens to forfeit the three purchased vehicles, a firearm, and cash.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh Division; the West Virginia State Police; the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office; the Augusta County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office; and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
West Virginia man sentenced to 24 years for methamphetamine traffickingRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison today for the trafficking of methamphetamine.
James R. Stewart, age 37, was sentenced to 294 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey. Stewart, who pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver in April, was discovered with nearly 700 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm pistol during a routine probation check. Stewart was on supervised release from a prior conviction when a probation officer located the drugs and the weapon.
In a separate case, Rocco Pasquale Pandoli, 34, also of Wheeling, was sentenced by Judge Bailey to 51 months in prison for the trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine. Pandoli, also known as “Fresh,” pled guilty to six drug trafficking counts in February 2023. The evidence presented by the government indicated that Pandoli was responsible for the distribution of nearly two kilograms of cocaine.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated both cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.