Northern District of West Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Michigan man convicted of heroin trafficking chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Detroit, Michigan man was convicted today in federal court of heroin distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Julian Michael-Thomas “Cain” Johnson, age 22, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” The crime occurred November 2016 near West Virginia University in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michal John Aloi presided.
Elkins home previously used as a drug house forfeited to the United StatesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – The government has forfeited a house in Elkins, West Virginia, that was used to facilitate a clandestine methamphetamine operation, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
The forfeiture complaint filed by the government alleged that an investigation by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force revealed that the house, located at 451 Central Street, was determined to have been purchased with proceeds obtained from a large-scale methamphetamine operation, and was used by occupants of the house to sell narcotics.
A criminal investigation of the occupants of the house and others resulted in an indictment, unsealed in October 2016, that charged 20 individuals from Virginia and West Virginia with conspiring with one another to operate a methamphetamine distribution ring in the region. To date, 14 individuals have been sentenced to a combined 1,107 months incarceration for their participation in the methamphetamine distribution operation.The forfeiture demonstrates the United States’ intent to better the community by pursing actions to obtain property purchased and used by those trafficking in narcotics. The property will receive maintenance and repairs before being offered for public sale.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon filed the complaint and secured the forfeiture on behalf of the government.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.The related criminal prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner on behalf of the government and investigated by the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
Harrison County man convicted of firearm chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia, man was convicted today of unlawful possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Matthew E. Boone, age 32, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”
Boone, having previously been convicted of heroin distribution in United States District Court, and five felonies in Harrison County Circuit Court, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in his possession. The crime occurred in January 2017 in Harrison County.
Boone faces up to 10 years 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 Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clarksburg Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Physician at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg indicted on drug chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A Maryland man was arrested today after being indicted on drug charges by a federal grand jury in Wheeling on June 6, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Daniel J. Bochicchio, of Monkton, Maryland, age 59, was indicted on 15 counts of “Acquiring Fentanyl by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Deception, and Subterfuge.” Bochicchio allegedly acquired fentanyl by fraudulently entering patient information at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from January to March of 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Grant County Man convicted of meth trafficking and firearm chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Petersburg, West Virginia, man was convicted today of methamphetamine distribution and illegal possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Joseph Nathaniel Hartman, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” The crimes occurred in August 2015 in Grant County.
Hartman faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the first count and 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count. 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 prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.Wheeling man indicted on failure to update his sex offender registryRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Wheeling man was arraigned today on a charge of failing to update his sex offender registration after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Wheeling on June 6, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Jeremy Crinkey, age 40, was indicted on one count of “Failure to Update Registration as a Sex Offender.” Crinkey, having previously being convicted of Possession of Child Pornography in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, allegedly failed to update his registry to his North 8th Street, Wheeling, address. The crime is alleged to have occurred from March 17, 2017 to May 30, 2017 in Ohio County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshal Service is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Texas man indicted on firearm chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Houston, Texas man was arraigned today on an illegal firearm charge after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Wheeling on June 6, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Corey Letroit Joseph Riggs, age 40, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Riggs, having previously being convicted of a felonies in the Circuit Court of Harris County, Texas, was allegedly in possession of .40 caliber Glock pistol. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 2017 in Ohio County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department are investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Ohio woman indicted on firearm chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Dennison, Ohio woman was arraigned today on an illegal firearm charge after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Wheeling on June 6, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Erin Marie Rudolph, age 24, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Rudolph, having previously being convicted of a felony in the Circuit Court of Ohio County, was allegedly in possession of .22 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 10, 2017 in Ohio County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police are investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
New Hampshire man indicted on bank fraud chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A Dover, New Hampshire man was arrested over the weekend after being indicted on bank fraud charges by a federal grand jury in Wheeling on June 6, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Kelvin L. Potter, age 36, was indicted on ten counts of “Bank Fraud.” Potter allegedly devised a scheme through which he allegedly intended to obtain approximately $69,000 from an account at Chase Bank belonging to Velco, Inc., which holds the business account of Vocelli Pizza in Wheeling. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from May 2015 to November 2015.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mexican national convicted of reentry of removed alienRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Mexican national admitted today to reentering the country illegally, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Bonifacio Zarate-Flores, age 27, pled guilty to one count of “Reentry of Removed Alien.” Zarate-Flores was removed from the United States in 2015 and 2016. He was then found in Berkeley County on April 18, 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Department of Homeland Security Immigrations & Customs Enforcement investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Jefferson County woman admits to cocaine traffickingRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Charles Town, West Virginia woman pled guilty today to distributing cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Decoley Jones, also known as Decoley White, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of a Cocaine Base.” Jones admitted to distributing cocaine in Jefferson County in September 2014.
Jones faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $1,000,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Cabell County man enters guilty plea to tax fraud in connection to W.Va. Division of Highways pay-to-play schemeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Lesage, West Virginia man pled guilty today to a federal tax charge, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Andrew P. Nichols pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Impede the Internal Revenue Service.” Nichols admitted to conspiring with others to impede tax collection of the IRS by using the expense account of an engineering consulting firm to make multiple covert payments via cashier’s check to Bruce Kenney, then an engineer at the West Virginia Division of Highways (“WVDOH”). The criminal conduct in this matter occurred from 2009 until at least 2011.
Nichols was previously named in an indictment in November 2016, accused of being a part of a scheme which caused approximately $1.5 million worth of WVDOH work to be routed to the Dennis Corporation, a Columbia, South Carolina engineering consulting firm.
Nichols, age 38, formerly served as the manager of the West Virginia Division of the Dennis Corporation while also working as an engineering professor. According to the initial indictment, he was alleged to have managed the financial relationships between Dennis Corporation and a WVDOH employee, and to have ensured that illicit payments were made to the WVDOH employee.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the West Virginia State Police.U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.
Thirty-three charged with oxycodone distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Thirty-three individuals have been charged in a 129-count federal indictment as a result of an investigation spanning two states and four North Central West Virginia counties, according to Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen.
Indictments were unsealed today alleging that a group of individuals from Michigan and West Virginia conspired with one another to operate an oxycodone distribution operation in the region.
Many of the defendants were taken into custody today during a coordinated, multi-agency arrest operation led by the Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. Those individuals facing federal drug charges include:
- Terry Thomas, a.k.a. “Top,” 44, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Michael Wesley, a.k.a. “Black”, a.k.a. “Big Flea,” 45, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Michael James Anthony, a.k.a. “Spook,” 42, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Christopher Lloyd, a.k.a. “Red,” 31, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Darmatrice Love, 32, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Robert Brown, Jr., a.k.a. “Pooh,” 23, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Andrew Thomas, a.k.a. “Bud,” 26, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Sean Miller Phillips, Jr., 24, of Eastpointe, Michigan;
- Devante Maddox, 25, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Konshawntas Boyd, 37, of Detroit, Michigan;
- Brianna Blackman, a.k.a. “BB,” 21, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Tiffany Edwards, 35, of Westover, West Virginia;
- Codey Bonnette, 25, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Leon Jamar Maddox, 34, of Fairmont, West Virginia;
- Amanda Gifford, a.k.a. “Mandi,” 25, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Floyd Pancoast, 24, of Pursglove, West Virginia;
- Jason Pancoast, 23, of Pursglove, West Virginia;
- Christopher Moriarty, 24, of Buckhannon, West Virginia;
- Carlee Cuppet, 25, of Kingwood, West Virginia;
- Brittany Brown, 31, of Stonewood, West Virginia;
- Ariel Blosser, 27, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Amanda Maddox, 32, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Brandy Miller, 28, of Salem, West Virginia;
- Anna May Martin, 31, of Westover, West Virginia;
- Kimberley Mozie, 36, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Jason Perry, 35, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Holly Jo Exline, 22, of Dellslow, West Virginia;
- McKenna Kansco, 22, Crawford, West Virginia;
- Marjorie Sue Webster, 23, Maidsville, West Virginia;
- Thomas Keener, II, 22, of Fairmont, West Virginia;
- Jayla Shade, 20, of Morgantown, West Virginia;
- Jesse Tichenor, 25, of Morgantown, West Virginia; and
- Bobbie Jo Phillips, 30, of Morgantown, West Virginia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is handling the cases on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation, which was initiated as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The Task Force consists of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, Morgantown Police Department, the Star City Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia University Police Department, the Granville Police Department, and the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The US Marshals Service, the Internal Revenue Service, the Monongalia County Processing and Transport Personnel, the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force MHIT Group, the Mountain State Drug Task Force, the Three Rivers Drug Task Force-Fairmont, and the Fairmont Police Department assisted in the arrest operation today. In addition, West Virginia State Police and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office allowed the use of their spaces to coordinate these efforts.
Acting United States Attorney Steinfeld Jividen commended the work of all the agencies involved in the investigation.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Jefferson County man admits to illegally possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Ranson, West Virginia man was convicted today of illegal possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Jeremiah David Wallace, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Felon in Possession of Firearm.”
Wallace admitted to possession of multiple firearms in Berkeley County in November 2015. Wallace, having been convicted of a felony in Frederick County, Virginia, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Wallace faces up to ten years incarceration and a fine 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 Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Ranson Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Jefferson County man admits to illegally possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Ranson, West Virginia man was convicted today of illegal possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Chad Aric Berry, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Berry, having previously been convicted of a felony in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, admitted to possessing a .380 caliber pistol in Jefferson County September 2015.
Berry faces up to ten years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Berkeley County man admits to illegally possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Martinsburg, West Virginia man was convicted today of illegal possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Anthony Jerome Addison, age 39, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”
Addison admitted to possession a rifle in Jefferson County in June 2016. Addison, having previously been convicted of distribution of cocaine base in United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Addison faces up to ten years incarceration and a fine 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 prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Berkeley County man admits to his role in heroin trafficking ringRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Hedgesville, West Virginia man was convicted today of heroin distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Wayne Kegley, age 44, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” Kegley admitted to his role in a heroin distribution operation in Berkeley County and Baltimore, Maryland in June 2016.
Kegley faces up to twenty years and a $1,000,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Harrison County man convicted of mail fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Bridgeport, West Virginia man pled guilty today to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Elliott Williams, age 66, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Williams admitted to staging a vehicle theft, and filing a false insurance claim. The crime happened between December 2016 and February 2017 in Harrison County.
Williams faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Berkeley County man pleads guilty to his role in a heroin distribution operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Charles Wright, 37, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was convicted of heroin distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Wright admitted to traveling between Maryland and West Virginia to aid in a heroin distribution operation in March 2016.
Wright pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering.” He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. 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 Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Virginia man convicted of traveling across state lines to have sex with a minorRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Johnnie William Bateman, III, of Culpepper, Virginia, was convicted today of traveling across state lines to meet a minor for sex, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Bateman, age 39, pled guilty to one count of “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” Bateman admitted to traveling from Virginia to Berkeley County, West Virginia in August 2016 to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl.
Bateman faces up to thirty years 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 Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Marion County man convicted of mail fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Fairmont, West Virginia man pled guilty today to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Michael Sine, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Sine admitted to participating in a staged vehicle accident, faking injuries from said accident, and filing false insurance claims resulting in a $41,000 settlement. The crime happened between May 2013 and October 2013 in Marion County.
Sine faces up to twenty years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Harrison County man convicted of illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia man was convicted today in federal court of illegally possessing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Casey Love, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Love, having previously been convicted of second degree robbery in Harrison County Circuit Court and being a known user and addict of controlled substances, admitted to having in his possession a 9mm pistol in Harrison County in November 2016.
Love faces up to ten years 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 Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Cabell County man charged in connection to W.Va. Division of Highways pay-to-play schemeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Lesage, West Virginia man is facing a federal tax charge, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Andrew P. Nichols is named in a one count information, charging him with “Conspiracy to Impede the Internal Revenue Service.” Nichols is accused of conspiring with others to impede tax collection by the IRS. The criminal conduct in this matter occurred from 2009 until at least 2011.
Nichols was previously named in an indictment in November 2016, accused of being a part of a scheme which caused approximately $1.5 million worth of West Virginia Division of Highways work to be routed to the Dennis Corporation, a Columbia, South Carolina engineering consulting firm.
Nichols, age 38, formerly served as the manager of the West Virginia Division of the Dennis Corporation while also working as an engineering professor. According to the initial indictment, he was alleged to have managed the financial relationships between Dennis Corporation and a Division of Highways employee, and to have ensured that elicit payments were mad e to the WVDOH employee.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the West Virginia State Police.An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two New York men and a Washington, D.C. woman are named in a 17-count indictmentRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two New York men and a woman from Washington, D.C. are named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Clarksburg, West Virginia on May 2, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Named in the indictment are Derrick Sutton, of New York, New York, age 30; James Latrell Roach, of Bronx, New York, age 48; and Britney Robinson, of Washington, D.C., age 27. All three were indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride.”
Sutton was also indicted on six counts of “Distribution of Cocaine Base,” one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base in Proximity of Protected Location,” two counts of “Distribution of Heroin,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.”
Roach was additionally indicted one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.”
Robinson was also indicted on one count of one count of “Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises.”
The crimes are alleged to have occurred from the spring of 2016 to March 7, 2017 in Monongalia County and elsewhere in the Northern District of West Virginia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Berkeley County residents are indicted on fentanyl and heroin distribution chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Berkeley County residents are named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Martinsburg, West Virginia on May 16, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Faith Wilson, age 26, and Karlo “Jake” Sinclair, age 28, both of Bunker Hill, West Virginia were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance,” one count of “Distribution of a Controlled Substance,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance.”
Wilson was also indicted on one count of “Distribution of Controlled Substance in Proximity of a Protected Location.”
The crimes are alleged to have occurred from the September 2015 to October 2016 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Harrison County man sentenced for heroin distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven A. Helms, II, 36, of Clarksburg, West Virginia was sentenced to 51 months incarceration for distributing heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Helms pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess With the Intent to Deliver Heroin” in November 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Berkeley County man indicted on heroin distribution chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Berkeley County man was arraigned today after being named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Martinsburg, West Virginia on May 16, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Bradley Markley, age 31, of Hedgesville, West Virginia was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” The crime is alleged to have occurred in October 2016 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two West Virginia residents sentenced for methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Two individuals were sentenced today for their participation in a methamphetamine distribution operation that spanned two states and three North West Virginia counties, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
The indictment alleged that 20 individuals from Virginia and West Virginia conspired with one another to operate a methamphetamine distribution ring in the region. Two were sentenced today in federal court.
Geniece Pancake, 36, of Belington, West Virginia was sentenced today to 120 months incarceration for assisting in the methamphetamine distribution operation. Pancake pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in January 2017.
David Maxwell, 32, of Elkins, West Virginia was sentenced today to 34 months for methamphetamine distribution. Maxwell pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” in January 2017. Maxwell sold crystal meth in Randolph County in April 2015.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Twelve people sentenced for roles in methamphetamine distribution operationRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Twelve individuals were sentenced today to a combined 953 months incarceration for their participation in a methamphetamine distribution operation that spanned two states and three North West Virginia counties, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
The indictment, unsealed in October 2016, alleged that 20 individuals from Virginia and West Virginia conspired with one another to operate a methamphetamine distribution ring in the region. The investigation led to the seizure of hundreds of firearms and significant quantities of methamphetamine. Twelve of those individuals were sentenced today.
- Sean Michael Moser, 27, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 210 months incarceration. Moser pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” in February 2017.
- Richard Wayne Scott, 41, of Waynesboro, Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months incarceration. Scott pled guilty to one count of “Interstate Travel in Furtherance of a Drug Crime” in February 2017.
- Joseph Richard Muster, 28, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 100 months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” in February 2017.
- Christina Crites, 46, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 112 months incarceration. She pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine in Proximity of a Protected Location” in February 2017.
- Gerald Allen Freeman, 42, of Moatsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 59 months incarceration. Freeman pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” in February 2017.
- Jeffrey Everson, 28, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced to 40 months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in January 2017.
- Brian Scott Mayle, 38, of Coalton, West Virginia, was sentenced to six months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Receipt and Transfer of Explosive Material without a License” in January 2017.
- Tre Michael Plaugher, 22, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 60 months incarceration. Plaugher pled guilty to one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime” in February 2017.
- Derek Scott Norris, 36, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced to 78 months incarceration. Norris pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” in January 2017.
- Calvin Norris Herron, Jr., 44, of Belington, West Virginia, was sentenced to 108 months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” in January 2017.
- Ronald G. Swiger, 36, of Coalton, West Virginia, was sentenced to 24 months incarceration. He pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in January 2017.
- Jason Randall Howard, 38, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 96 months incarceration. Howard pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in March 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Preston County man sentenced for unlawful purchase of a firearmRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Cory Jean Gainey, 24, of Reedsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for unlawfully purchasing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Gainey pled guilty to one count of “False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm” in January 2107. He admitted that in October 2015, he provided a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer stating that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm when in fact he was buying it for another individual.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morgantown Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Ohio man sentenced for identity theftRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tyree Skipper, 44, of Euclid, Ohio, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for aggravated identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Skipper admitted to obtaining identifying information of individuals to file fraudulent tax returns in Ohio, South Carolina and Hawaii from December 2012 to May 2013 in Gilmer County, West Virginia. He pled guilty to two counts of “Aggravated Identify Theft” in February 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service and the Special Investigative Services Unit of the Bureau of Prisons investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Ohio man sentenced for cocaine and heroin distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Cincinnati, Ohio man was sentenced today to 120 months incarceration for heroin and cocaine distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Johnny D. Floyd, age 43, distributed heroin and crack cocaine in Marion County, West Virginia in December 2015. He pled guilty to one count of “Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base and Heroin” in January 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Marion County woman convicted of mail frauRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Fairmont, West Virginia woman pled guilty today to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Robin Stoneking, age 56, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Stoneking admitted to participating in a staged vehicle accident, faking injuries from said accident, and filing false insurance claims resulting in a $41,000 settlement. The crime happened between May 2013 and October 2013 in Marion County.
Stoneking faces up to twenty years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Wheeling man convicted of illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia man was convicted today of illegally possessing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Christopher Louis Park, age 45, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Park, who had previously been convicted of possession and distribution of cocaine in federal court in April 1999, admitted to possessing a .9mm caliber pistol. The crime occurred in Wheeling in January 2017.
Park faces up to ten years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
Two men convicted of mail fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two West Virginia men pled guilty today to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Dallas Lewis, age 55, of Clarksburg, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud.” Lewis admitted to conspiring with others to file false insurance claims from staged motor vehicle accidents. Lewis would then receive a portion of the insurance settlement in each filing. The crimes happened between January 2012 and August 2014 in Taylor, Harrison, and Marion Counties.
Charles Bonner, age 34, of Morgantown, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Bonner admitted to taking part in a staged vehicular accident in January 2012 in Harrison County. He also admitted to faking injuries from said accident and filing a false insurance claim, from which he, and others, received insurance settlements of approximately $101,500. Bonner also admitted his role in procuring an insurance settlement check in someone else’s name in the amount of $46,500.
Lewis and Bonner each face up to twenty years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Ohio man charged with heroin, cocaine and meth distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Toledo, Ohio man was arraigned today after being indicted on May 16 by a federal grand jury on charges of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Michael Austin Boyd, Jr., age 35, was indicted on one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” one count of “Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” and one count of “Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime.” Boyd allegedly possessed with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a .38-caliber revolver, in Harrison County in September 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and Bridgeport Police Department are investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mineral County woman charged for failing to register as a sex offenderRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Keyser, West Virginia woman was indicted on May 16 by a federal grand jury on charges she failed to register as a sex offender, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Bobbi Jo Starry, age 51, was indicted on one count of “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.” Starry, having been convicted of third degree sexual assault in the Circuit Court of Berkeley County, allegedly traveled interstate commerce and failed to register and update registration as a sex offender from January to May 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service is investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Four named in 13-count indictment on heroin and cocaine chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three Martinsburg, West Virginia residents and one Virginia man were indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2017 for cocaine and heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
The four are accused of conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine in Berkeley County, West Virginia from December 2015 to April 2016.
The indictment includes counts of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine Hydrochloride, and Cocaine Base,” “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a
Protected Location, “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility,” “Maintaining Drug-involved Premises,” “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride,” and “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.”
Named in the indictment are:
- Keon DeAngelo Parker, 24, Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Christal Yates, 42, Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Anthony “Tony” Duane Boyd, 37, Linden, Virginia
- Ashley Dominique Ruffin, 27, Martinsburg, West Virginia
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Hampshire County man guilty of possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Shanks, West Virginia man was convicted today of possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Allen Newcomb, age 58, was charged with one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Newcomb pled guilty to the charge today, admitting to possessing child pornography containing children under the age of 12 in June 2016 in Hampshire County.
Newcomb faces up to 20 years incarceration and up to a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Office of Homeland Security investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert R. Trumble presided.
Former Correctional Officer in West Virginia Pleads Guilty to Using Force to Punish A DetaineeRead the Press Release
Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen of the Northern District of West Virginia jointly announced that a former Elkins, West Virginia Correctional Officer, Adam Joseph Neal Graham, 26, pleaded guilty today in federal court to a civil rights violation for an incident in which he assaulted a handcuffed pretrial detainee.
According to information provided in connection with his guilty plea, Graham was serving as a Correctional Officer at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on March 9, 2015, when he assisted with the intake screening for the victim, an 18 year-old pretrial detainee. This was the victim’s first arrest. The detainee was handcuffed, sitting on a chair, and acting distraught. Graham told the detainee to “be quiet” several times. Even though the detainee posed no threat to Graham or any other person, Graham applied pressure points to the victim’s shoulder and neck area. Then, suddenly and without warning, Graham grabbed the detainee by the neck and forcefully slammed him to the ground. During the plea hearing, Graham acknowledged that his use of force was not justified by any legitimate law enforcement or correctional objective.
“The U.S. Constitution protects every person in this country, including those who are detained in our jails,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “The federal government will actively prosecute those correctional officers, who like the defendant, abuse their authority and violate their oath by unlawfully utilizing physical force as a form of punishment.”
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Division investigated the case. Special Litigation Counsel Gerard V. Hogan and Trial Attorney Olimpia E. Michel of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah W. Montoro of the Northern District of West Virginia prosecuted the case.
Clarksburg woman admits to mail fraudRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia woman pled guilty today to mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Chasity Costilow, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Mail Fraud.” Costilow admitted to taking part in a staged vehicular accident in September 2012 in Marion County. She also admitted to faking injuries from said accident and filing a false insurance claim, from which she received a settlement of approximately $60,000.
Costilow faces up to twenty years and a $250,000 fine. 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Marion County man sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Duane Jabbar Martin, 32, of Rivesville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 18 months incarceration for unlawful possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Martin, who had previously been convicted of a felony offense in Marion County, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He admitted to possessing a 9mm semi-automatic handgun in April 2016.
Martin pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in January 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Man sentenced for identity theftRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel Aaron Stone, 36, currently incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Beckley, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for aggravated identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Stone admitted to having social security numbers of people for the intended use of filing false tax returns. Stone pled guilty to two counts of “Aggravated Identity Theft” in March 2017. The sentence is to run consecutively to any previous sentence imposed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service and the Special Investigative Services Unit of the Bureau of Prisons investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Harrison County woman sentenced for cocaine distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jennifer Y. Lucas, 37, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for cocaine distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Lucas pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base” in January 2017. She sold cocaine in Harrison County in March of 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, A HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Hampshire County woman convicted of heroin distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bonnie Bishop of Bloomery, West Virginia, was convicted today of heroin distribution, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Bishop, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.” Bishop admitted to conspiring with others to distribute heroin in Hampshire County in July 2015.
Bishop faces up to 20 years 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 defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Mexican nationals indicted for reentry of removed alienRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury indicted three Mexican nationals on charges they reentered the country illegally, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.
Bonifacio Zarate-Flores, age 27, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of Removed Alien.” Zarate-Flores was removed from the United States in 2015 and 2016. He was then allegedly found in Berkeley County on April 18, 2017.
Eusebio Paulino Lopez-Lopez, age 28, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien.” Lopez-Lopez was removed from the United States in 2008. He was allegedly found in Berkeley County on April 8, 2017.
Regino Castro-Sanchez, age 45, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien” and one count of “Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents.” Castro-Sanchez was removed from the United States in 2003. He was allegedly found in Berkeley County on April 19, 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the Zarate-Flores and Castro-Sanchez cases on behalf of the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin is prosecuting the Lopez-Lopez case on behalf of the government. The United States Department of Homeland Security Immigrations & Customs Enforcement investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Wheeling man convicted of illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeffrey Moran, 45, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was convicted today of illegally possessing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Moran, who had previously been convicted of a felony offenses of drug possession in Ohio County and a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He admitted to possessing a .22 caliber pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 20-gauge shotgun in Ohio County, West Virginia in December 2016.
Moran pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” He faces up to 10 years incarceration and a $250,000 fine. 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 David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Webster County man sentenced for failing to register as a sex offenderRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy A. Yeigh, 28, of Camden on Gauley, West Virginia was sentenced in federal court today to 96 months incarceration for failing to register as a sex offender, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Yeigh admitted to traveling in interstate commerce from West Virginia to Florida and failing to update his registration as a sex offender. He entered a guilty plea to one count of “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender” in December 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah W. Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Randolph County woman sentenced for illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Alexis McDonald, 19, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 37 months incarceration for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
McDonald, who had previously been convicted of a felony offense in Pennsylvania, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. She admitted to possessing a .9mm caliber pistol in Barbour County, West Virginia in July 2016.
McDonald pled guilty to one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm” in January 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Ohio man sentenced for heroin, cocaine traffickingRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Rayshawn L. Ball, 31, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced today in federal court to 41 months incarceration for heroin and cocaine trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced today.
Ball engaged in heroin and cocaine trafficking in Ohio County, West Virginia throughout late 2014 and early 2015. Ball pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I and Schedule II Controlled Substances” in December 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah W. Montoro 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.