Northern District of West Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Several inmates facing chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Several inmates were indicted today on multiple charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Dwight Foster, 48, an inmate of USP Hazelton, is charged with one count of “Assault of a Correctional Officer Involving Physical Contact” and one count of “Possession of a Prohibited Object – Weapon.” Foster is accused of having a weapon on his person. He is also accused of striking a correctional officer in September 2021.
Jason Dent, 44, an inmate at USP Hazelton, is charged with one count of “Assault of a Correctional Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury.” Dent is accused of assaulting a Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Lieutenant causing bodily injury in April 2021.
Shawn Ford, 23, an inmate at FCI Hazelton, was indicted on one count of “Attempt to Obtain a Prohibited Object – Narcotic.” Ford is accused of trying to obtain suboxone without the warden’s knowledge in April 2021.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting each case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Prisons investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Marshall County man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jacob Lee McKinley, of Moundsville, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
McKinley, 30, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” McKinley admitted to selling methamphetamine near Golden Towers in Marshall County in March 2021.
McKinley faces at least one year and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Former Brooke County resident indicted on sex offender registry violationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher J. Schragl, a former Brooke County man, is facing a charge involving his sex offender registration, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Schragl, 45, was indicted today on one count of “Failure to Register.” Schragl, a person required to register as a sex offender, is accused of traveling to West Virginia from another state without updating his registration. The crime allegedly occurred from May to December 2021 in the Northern District of West Virginia.
Schragl faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshals Service, the West Virginia State Police, the Texas Rangers, and the Nevada State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Berkeley County man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Gregory K. Parr, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Parr, 65, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl.” Parr admitted to selling fentanyl in November 2020 in Berkeley County.
Parr faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Berkeley County man admits to a firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Lante Jerrel Cook, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Cook, 32, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Cook, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, admitted to having a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in July 2021 in Berkeley County.
Cook faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsburg Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Department of Justice Awards More Than $300 Million to Fight Opioid and Stimulant Crisis and to Address Substance Use DisordersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON ― The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) today announced grant awards totaling more than $300 million to help combat America’s substance use crisis, which has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. In the Northern District of West Virginia, more than $1.8 million was awarded, announced United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.
“Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation is experiencing a precipitous rise in opioid and stimulant misuse and overdoses,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is committed to supporting programs aimed at addressing the substance use crisis that is devastating communities across the nation.”
The most recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that, “there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5% from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the year before.”
“The substance use crisis in American society has been a persistent and deadly problem for decades, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl and synthetic opioids have tightened the grip drugs have on our society,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is working diligently to address these problems by committing unprecedented levels of funding toward research, substance use treatment and mental health services, along with investments in enforcement, response and evidence-based treatment.”
OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) are distributing millions of dollars in grant awards aimed at addressing the substance use crisis throughout the nation. In addition to these grants, OJP is awarding $34 million to help communities respond to public safety and public health emergencies, including crises that result from substance use disorders.
Below is a list of awards being made in Fiscal Year 2021 to address the opioid and stimulant crisis and the needs of individuals with substance use disorders:
BJA is awarding more than $137 million under its Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program, which will help communities address the prevention, diversion, treatment and recovery needs of those affected by substance use disorders. Another $9.7 million is funding related training and technical assistance.
- Berkeley County was awarded $900,000 to support the Berkeley County Day Report Center. The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program (COSSAP) will provide an opportunity for Berkeley County to support those most vulnerable in the community to the opioid crisis - the children. Working in partnership with Berkeley County Schools, and the Martinsburg Initiative the program, hosted by the Berkeley Recovery Resource Center, will provide Peer Recovery services to address treatment and intervention needs primarily for students and secondarily, their family members, strengthen social services where children have been impacted by drug addition to connect them to community services, and provide sustaining funds to Project AWARE, an ongoing initiative of the Berkeley County School system whose overarching goal is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all school-aged children. The long-term goal of the community is to curtail opioid use, supporting all citizens to lead productive, healthy lives.
More than $61.6 million under BJA’s Adult Drug and Veteran Treatment Court Program will help states, state courts, local courts and federally recognized tribal governments implement and enhance the operations of adult drug courts and veteran treatment courts. Another $15.7 million is funding related training and technical assistance.
BJA is awarding $29.6 million to support the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program, which helps states develop and implement residential substance use treatment programs, including medication assisted treatment within correctional and detention facilities.
- The West Virginia Department of Military Affair and Public Safety was awarded $245,539 for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program. The program assists states and local governments to develop and implement substance abuse treatment programs in state and local correctional and detention facilities and to create and maintain community-based aftercare services for offenders.
BJA is awarding nearly $29.6 million to fund the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which enhances the capacity of regulatory and law enforcement agencies and public health officials to collect and analyze controlled substance prescription data and other scheduled chemical products through a centralized database administered by an authorized agency.
OJJDP is awarding $16 million to support Mentoring for Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction, which supports services for youth who are currently using or at-risk for using drugs or to youth with family members who have a substance use disorder.
OJJDP is awarding more than $8.9 million to support the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, which will support states, communities, tribes and nonprofits implementing programs and strategies that treat children, youth and families impacted by the opioid epidemic.
- Morgan County was awarded $702,864 for the Morgan County Partnership. The MCP will use funding to create an initiative to improve outcomes for opioid and substance use affected youth and families in a rural West Virginia. MCP will coordinate a multi-sector collaboration among child welfare agencies, school-based mental health providers, criminal justice systems, behavioral health providers, and other community-based organizations to provide parent education, and school-based substance use prevention programming and therapeutic supports. MCP will partner with Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle and Shenandoah Valley Health Care System’s Family Resource Center to provide youth mentorship supports to justice-involved abused and neglected opioid affected youth in the foster care system, with the overarching goal to promote public safety and provide evidence-based interventions.
OJJDP’s Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program is awarding nearly $7.9 million to jurisdictions to establish or enhance juvenile drug treatment courts and to improve court system operations and treatment services.
OJJDP is awarding $13.8 million across 14 jurisdictions under its Family Drug Court Program to build the capacity of state and local courts, units of local government and federally recognized tribal governments to implement family drug court practices. The program aims to increase collaboration with substance use treatment and child welfare systems to ensure the provision of treatment and other services that improve child, parent and family outcomes.
Once the awards are made, information about the grantees selected under each solicitation can be found online at the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Department of Justice awards more than $125 million in grants under the Stop School Violence ActRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $126 million in funding to advance school safety under the STOP School Violence Act. The grants, awarded by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), will help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts, provide training to school personnel and students, and implement evidence-based threat assessments.
“The Justice Department has no greater responsibility than protecting Americans from harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Schools must be safe places to learn, and today’s investment of more than $125 million under the STOP School Violence Act will help ensure that they are.”
In the Northern District of West Virginia, Calhoun County Schools were awarded $487,329 and Upshur County was awarded $80,639.
The Students, Teachers and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (the “STOP School Violence Act”) gives the Justice Department the authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs. It also provides grants to ensure a positive school climate by helping students and teachers recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence.
The 78 BJA annual awards, totaling almost $74 million, are intended to support training and education for school personnel and students on preventing violence against others and themselves, including anti-bullying training and specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises. Funds also help develop and implement multidisciplinary threat assessment or intervention teams and design technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems, hotlines and websites.
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) provides up to 75% of the funding for school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools. The 153 SVPP awards, totaling almost $52 million, are statutorily obligated to be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; locks, lighting and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.
The full list of SVPP awards can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/svpp-award.
A list of BJA awards, as they are made, can be found on the OJP Grant Awards page.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to agency for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Wetzel County woman admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Holly Christine Jenkins, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Jenkins, 58, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Jenkins admitted to selling methamphetamine fin April 2021 in Wetzel County.
Jenkins faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Pennsylvania man admits to drug trafficking chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – John Ross Lawrence, of Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania, has admitted to a drug a charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lawrence, 32, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Lawrence admitted to selling methamphetamine in February 2021 in Marshall County.
Lawrence faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cameron Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Ohio man sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Zachary Price, of Flushing, Ohio, was sentenced today to 33 months of incarceration for drug distribution, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Price, age 25, pled guilty in March 2019 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, MDMA, LSD, Marijuana, Oxycodone, Adderall, Codeine, and Alprazolam.” Price admitted to distributing cocaine, MDMA, LSD, Marijuana, Oxycodone, Adderall, Codeine, and Alprazolam from April 2017 to November 2017 in Ohio County.
The judge also ordered $43,169 in cash seized be forfeited.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
This effort 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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Ohio man admits to drug chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Edward Lamp, II, of East Liverpool, Ohio, has admitted to drug charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lamp, also known as “Chubs,” 43, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine.” Lamp admitted to working with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from September 2020to February 2021 in Hancock County and elsewhere, including the Northern District of Ohio.
Lamp faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the conspiracy charge and faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the distribution charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Drug Enforcement Administration in Youngtown, Ohio; the Liverpool Township Police Department-Ohio; and the East Liverpool Police Department -Ohio investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio assisted.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Monongalia County man sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeremy Hamlin, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Hamlin, 42, pled guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises.” Hamlin admitted to using a place on Bradley Street in Morgantown for the purpose of distributing heroin and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in March 2020 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Related press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/seventeen-people-charged-heroin-and-crack-cocaine-distribution-operation
Marshall County man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Alex R. Lee, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 14 months of incarceration for a methamphetamine charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lee, 35, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Lee admitted to selling methamphetamine in February 2021 in Marshall County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Marshall County man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Alex R. Lee, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 14 months of incarceration for a methamphetamine charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lee, 35, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Lee admitted to selling methamphetamine in February 2021 in Marshall County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Barbour County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Calvin Crockett Mullins, of Philippi, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Mullins, 29, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Distribution of a Firearm.” Mullins admitted to selling a 16-gauge shotgun to a person prohibited from having firearms. The crime took place in February 2020 in Barbour County.
Mullins faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Monongalia County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Reynaldo Millan, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 19 months and 21 days of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Millan, age 30, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under Felony Indictment.” Millan, prohibited from having a firearm, admitted to having a .223/5.56mm rifle and a .38 caliber revolver in December 2018 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Martinsburg man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – James Curtis Taylor, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Taylor, 54, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Taylor admitted to using a phone to distribute Eutylone in November 2020 in Berkeley County.
Taylor faces up to four years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Maryland woman admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Briya Nychelle Harrington, of Baltimore, Maryland, has admitted distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Harrington, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.” Harrington admitted to working with another to distribute fentanyl in March 2021 in Hampshire County.
Harrington faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Texas man admits to role in drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeffrey Howard, of Houston, Texas, has admitted to his role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Howard, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Howard admitted to having methamphetamine in Monongalia County in Septemmber 2019.
Bradley faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
Fairmont man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kerm Leroy Jackson, of Fairmont, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Jackson, also known as “Woo,” 28, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Jackson admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine from March 2018 to August 2020 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.
Jackson faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Texas man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Leonard Jasmine, of Houston, Texas, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Jasmine, 30, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Jasmine admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and fentanyl from the spring of 2018 to October 2020 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.
Jasmine faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This effort 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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Find more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
Ohio man sentenced to 10 years for methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Giovanni Geonard Ingersoll, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced today to 121 months of incarceration for methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Ingersoll, age 29, pled guilty in July 2020 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Ingersoll admitted to working with others to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from March 2018 to May 2018 in Mineral County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; and the Ravenswood Police Department investigated.
This effort 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.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Ohio man sentenced for methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Victor Ramel Chancler Witcher, of Copley, Ohio, was sentenced today to five years of probation for methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Witcher, age 37, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” in March 2019. Witcher admitted to working with others to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from March 2018 to May 2018 in Mineral, Grant, and Randolph Counties.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; and the Ravenswood Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Maryland man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Antonio Cortez Darden, of Maugansville, Maryland, was sentenced today to 21 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Darden, 44, pleaded guilty in August 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride.” Darden admitted to having cocaine hydrochloride in September 2019 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Jefferson County man sentenced for sex offender registry violationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Frederick M. Hilliard, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 18 months of incarceration for a sex offender registry charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Hilliard, 66, pleaded guilty in August 2021 to one count of “Failure to Register.” Hilliard admitted to not updating his sex offender registration from February to October 2019 in Jefferson County, as required by law, because of a rape conviction in Pennsylvania.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Jefferson County man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTISNBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Luis Manuel Solero Ortiz, of Ranson, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Ortiz, 38, pled guilty in October 2020 to one count of “Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine Hydrochloride.” Ortiz admitted to having more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride in March 2019 in Jefferson County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Ranson Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Hampshire County woman sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jessica Lynn Lundbald, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to four years of probation for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lundbald, 24, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl Mixture.” Lundbald admitted to working with another to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Hampshire County in August 2020.
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. The task force consists of the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.
Chief U.S. District Gina M. Groh presided.
Grant County man sentenced for fentanyl chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Wayne Fultz, of Maysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 70 months of incarceration for his role in a methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Fultz, 32, pled guilty in May 2021 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute of Fentanyl.” Fultz admitted to having fentanyl in Grant County in January 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Clarksburg man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Gary Roudolph Loy, Jr., of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Loy, 48, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Loy admitted to selling methamphetamine in October 2020 in Randolph County.
Loy faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug Task Force investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Pennsylvania man guilty of traveling across state lines to engage in sex with a minorRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Mark Sassak, Jr., of Monessen, Pennsylvania, was found guilty today of charges involving a minor, United States Attorney William J, Ihlenfeld, II announced.
After a three-day trial, Sassak, 37, was found guilty of one count of “Travel to Engage in Sexual Activity with a Minor” and one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Sassak began talking with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old female through a social media app. That conversation continued through text messages on his cell phone for several weeks. Sassak then asked for an in-person meeting to have sex with the 15-year-old. Sassak then drove from his home in Pennsylvania to a location in Bridgeport, West Virginia in October 2020 for said meeting, where law enforcement arrested him. When a search of Sassak’s cell phone was done, officers found child pornographic videos.
“Protecting children is one of the most important things that we do as federal prosecutors. Thanks to the hard work of the trial team from the U.S. Attorney’s office and the excellent investigation by the Bridgeport Police Department, a dangerous predator has been convicted and young people in our community are safer as a result,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.
Sassak faces up to 30 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the travel charge ad faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the pornography charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Perri and Jennifer T. Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. In the Northern District of West Virginia, an award of $86,763 was made to enhance the prosecution of gun crimes occurring in Hancock County, Brooke County and Ohio County.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“We are thankful to receive this funding, as it will allow us to better coordinate state and federal efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of those who aren’t legally permitted to have them,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.
The grant will be used to combat firearms trafficking in Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock Counties in the District. With approval from BJA, the Fiscal Agent, The YWCA in Wheeling, will begin the process of making subawards for PSN grant projects.
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
For a list of all grantees, please visit:
https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/FY21-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-Awards.pdfInformation about these and other FY 2021 grant awards from the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Pennsylvania man guilty of threatening federal, circuit court judgesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – Keith Thomas Dougherty, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was found guilty last week of threatening federal and state judges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
After a three-day trial, Dougherty, 66, was found guilty of one count of “Mailing Threatening Communications” and two counts of “Interstate Communication with Threat to Injure.” Dougherty made threats to injure federal and state judges in the Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania in May 2017, March 2019, and January 2020. During trial, a letter and emails were shown where Dougherty threatened the “bashing of sculls” of three state court judges, “ISIS Style Beheading” of three district court judges and magistrates and threatened the lives of three circuit court judges by “AR 15’s.” Emails were also shown to have Dougherty threatening Western District of Pennsylvania U.S. District Court Judge Joy F. Conti by ordering “a sniper” to “shoot Conti in the head just to shut her up.”
Dougherty faces up to 10 ten years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000 for the mailing charge and faces up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the interstate communication charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Perri and Shawn M. Adkins of the Northern District of West Virginia prosecuted the case as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. Marshal Service, the FBI, the U.S Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Capitol Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly of the District of Delaware presided.
Tucker County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gregory L. Coontz, of Parsons, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Coontz, 21, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Coontz, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having a .38 Special Caliber revolver in July 2020 in Tucker County.
Coontz faces up to 10 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Parsons Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Pittsburgh man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Raimonte Gordon Gaston, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Gaston, also known as “Boog,” “Barkley Boo,” “Barkley,” and “Ray,” 28, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Gaston admitted to working with another to distribute heroin and fentanyl from September 2018 to January 2019 in Harrison County and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Morgan County man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gunner Scott Young, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years of probation for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Young, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Young admitted to having pornographic images involving minors under the age of 12 in June 2019 in Morgan County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Martinsburg man sentenced for his role in a firearms trafficking ringRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Marquis Hicks, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 54 months for his role in a conspiracy involving the illegal purchase and transportation of firearms, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Hicks, age 30, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy.” Hicks admitted to working with another individual to purchase, possess, and transfer firearms to an out of state resident, in March 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Martinsburg man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph George Ray, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 77 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Ray, 56, also known as “YB,” pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute a Heroin and Fentanyl Mixture.” Ray admitted to distributing heroin and fentanyl in August 2020 in Berkeley County.
These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
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 case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Martinsburg Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Jefferson County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Warren Long, of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 37 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Long, 33, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Long, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior conviction, admitted to having a .410 gauge shotgun in May 2020 in Jefferson County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gian M. Groh presided.
Hampshire County woman sentenced for role in drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jessica Lee Lynch, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months of incarceration for her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Lynch, age 38, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Base.” Lynch admitted to working with another individual to distribute the controlled substances from January 2020 through October 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office worked closely with the Hampshire County Prosecutor’s Office to bring this case forward. In addition, the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crime task Force, a HIDTA funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Hampshire County man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jonathan Burgess, of Augusta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 70 months of incarceration for a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Burgess, age 58, pleaded guilty in December 2020 to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Burgess admitted to having child pornography images of a minor who hadn’t reached the age of 12 in Hampshire County in September 2019.
During a search of Burgess’s phone, investigators found more than 6,700 images. A search of his yahoo email account found more than 600 images of child pornography.
After serving his sentence, Burgess will be on supervised release for 25 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Detroit man sentenced for his role in a drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – William D. Charleston, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 57 months of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Charleston, also known as “Jay,” 41, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl in Proximity to a Protected Location.” Charleston admitted to distributing heroin and fentanyl near Fairmont Senior High School and Fairmont State University in August 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Berkeley County man sentenced for role in drug trafficking enterpriseRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Maxwell Edward Sanderlin, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to eight years of probation for his role in a drug distribution enterprise, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Sanderlin, 34, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl.” Sanderlin admitted to working with others to sell heroin and fentanyl in February 2020 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the West Virginia Air National Guard investigated. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/22-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-enterprise-spanned-several-states
Inmate admits to assault, sentencedRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Terrazas, and inmate at United States Penitentiary Hazleton in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, has admitted to assault and was sentenced today to an additional 24 months of incarceration, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Terrazas, 33, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm.” Terrazas admitted to assaulting another inmate in March 2021 in Preston County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Prisons investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Florida man sentenced for defrauding W.Va. churches, citizensRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Phillip W. Conley, of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for defrauding West Virginia churches, pastors, and others of nearly $5 million, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Conley, 38, previously pleaded guilty to one count of “Securities Fraud,” admitting to swindling millions of dollars from victims in multiple states.
Conley portrayed himself as an investment advisor even after his broker’s license was suspended in December 2015. He formed a company called ALPAX, LLC, and persuaded victims to invest in false ventures such as student housing construction, high-yield fixed income securities, oil and gas technology, mineral rights, and timber leasing. Conley provided investors with a false sense of security by mailing them dividend statements that misstated the value of the investment accounts.
Conley’s victims included churches in Charleston, Parkersburg and Morgantown. Small business owners were also victimized, along with friends and family members of Conley. He spent the stolen money on private jets, designer clothes, fine dining, jewelry, and housing and living expenses.
“Securities fraud is a terrible crime and often has a devastating impact,” said United States Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Mr. Conley was very persuasive and groomed his victims, convincing them that these were legitimate investment opportunities. Unfortunately, it was a scam in which Conley robbed investors of their life savings.”
Ihlenfeld urges anyone considering investing with a stockbroker to first visit brokercheck.finra.org to learn whether a broker has been suspended or sanctioned.
“Mr. Conley lived a luxurious life, but in reality, lined his pockets by orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that took money from his own family members and other victims," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “His victims trusted him to safeguard their money and he betrayed their trust. Today's sentence sends the message that he can't escape accountability for his actions."
In addition to the prison sentence, Conley was ordered to forfeit any property purchased from the proceeds of the crimes and to pay a money judgement of $4,858,817.42.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Detroit man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Mario Rayshawn White, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to five years of probation for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
White, also known as “MT,” 31, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone.” White admitted to selling Oxycodone in April 2019 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Randolph County man sentenced for a drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Derek Raines, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Raines, 38, pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Raines admitted to having a .40 caliber pistol during a drug trafficking crime in August 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Ohio County man admits to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Zachary Musilli, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Musilli, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Musilli admitted to having child pornography with some depicting children under the age of 12 in March 2021 in Ohio County.
Musilli faces up to 20 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI, the West Virginia Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Monongalia County woman admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sabrina Burton, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Burton, 25, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” Burton admitted to having heroin in May 2020 in Monongalia County.
Burton faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This effort 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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Find more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
Marshall County man admits to drug trafficking chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Luke Colton Cunningham, of Cameron, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug a charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Cunningham, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Cunningham admitted to selling methamphetamine in March 2021 in Marshall County.
Cunningham faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cameron Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Georgia man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Kaleb Joseph Beals, of Silver Creek, Georgia, was sentenced today to 92 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Beals 32, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Beals admitted to working with others to sell methamphetamine, also known as “crystal meth” or “ice,” from August 2018 to April 2019 in Hardy County. Beals trafficked crystal methamphetamine from Georgia into Hardy County via Interstate-81 and then across the new 4-Lane (Corridor H) into Hardy County. Beals had West Virginia residents trafficking the drug. All four have pleaded guilty to drug charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Moorefield Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Find related cases here:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hardy-county-man-admits-role-drug-trafficking-operation
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hampshire-county-woman-admits-role-drug-trafficking-operation-0
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hardy-county-man-admits-role-drug-trafficking-operation-0
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/mineral-county-woman-admits-drug-charge