Southern District of West Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Raleigh County Couple Sentenced for Roles in Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Raleigh County couple were sentenced today to prison for their roles in federal drug and gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Billy Joe Lesher, 40, of Beckley, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. Kimberly York, 33, also from Beckley, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The drug trafficking crime involved the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Beckley Police Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
“Meth dealers and guns. Different names, but the result is the same – lengthy federal prison sentences,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Lesher previously admitted that on October 24, 2018, members of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, and ATF executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley, West Virginia. During the search, officers found approximately seven ounces methamphetamine that defendant admitted he possessed with the intent to distribute. Lesher also admitted that he possessed methamphetamine on March 10, 2018. On this date, Lesher admitted that he was the subject of a traffic stop in Beckley. After he was stopped, officers found approximately 38 grams of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, two firearms, and almost $12,000 in cash in his car. After the traffic stop, officers also searched defendant’s residence and found approximately 33 ounces, or about two pounds, of methamphetamine. Lesher admitted that he intended to distribute this methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia. Further, as part of his plea, Lesher also admitted to distributing quantities of heroin on two different dates.
York previously admitted that on March 10, 2018, she was a passenger in a car driven by her companion and co-defendant, Billy Lesher. The car was stopped by police near Robert C. Byrd Drive in Beckley for speeding. During the traffic stop, officers found approximately 38 grams of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, guns, and almost $12,000 in cash in the car. A Taurus .357 revolver was found in York’s purse along with a small amount of heroin. York admitted that she knew the methamphetamine found in the car was possessed with the intent to distribute it in and around Raleigh County. She also admitted that she possessed the firearm as protection for both her and Lesher as they engaged in drug trafficking activity.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Putnam County Man Pleads Guilty to Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane man pled guilty to a federal firearm offense today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Johnny Ray Thacker, 63, pled guilty to carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Charleston Police Department, the Dunbar Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“Drugs and guns by a two-time felon,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Drug trafficking is a violent business. Our law enforcement partners are placed in harm’s way every single day to get violent drug dealers off the streets and behind bars. There may be nothing more uncertain and, frankly, scary, than walking up to the side of a vehicle and not knowing what may be pointed back at you. A felon in possession of a firearm is against the law and we will prosecute each and every time we find a felon with a gun.”
On July 3, 2018, a Charleston Police Officer stopped Thacker for speeding 24 miles per hour over the speed limit on Sissonville Drive. Thacker told the officer he had a gun on the passenger seat, which the officer temporarily secured for their safety. Thacker was a two-time felon, whose rights to possess a firearm had not been restored. While retrieving Thacker’s gun, the officer spotted marijuana scattered on it. Officers then searched Thacker’s vehicle and recovered several grams of methamphetamine and heroin, baggies for drug packaging, and a scale.
On September 3, 2018, police officers were called to Dunbar Memorial Park regarding suspected drug trafficking out of a lime green colored vehicle. Officers spotted Thacker parked in a lime green car. After a specially-trained police dog detected the odor of drugs coming from Thacker’s car, police searched it and found approximately 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, baggies, a scale, a baggie of powdered sugar for cutting drugs, and a ledger documenting drug debts and sales. Thacker claimed the drugs.
Thacker faces a mandatory minimum five years and up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 7, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: United States Attorney Mike Stuart to Hold Press ConferenceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Mike Stuart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will hold a press conference on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. to announce an important development.
Where: Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse - 4th floor (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
300 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
When: Thursday, August 8, 2019 @ 9:30 a.m.
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Kanawha County Woman Sentenced for Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A woman from Chesapeake was sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 9 to 12 months of in-patient drug treatment, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Ashley Nichole Rhodes, 24, previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“We’re tough on drug dealers. But we also understand that incarceration presents a critical opportunity for people with substance use disorder to get treatment,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Rhodes will get much drug treatment while serving her federal prison sentence and continue in-patient treatment upon her release.”
As established by public court filings and hearings, on August 16, 2018, a man reported to Kanawha County deputies that his house in Rand, West Virginia, had been burglarized. The burglars stole firearms, digital cameras, vehicle titles, $1,000 in savings bonds, and various other personal items.
Later that day, a Kanawha County deputy found some of the stolen items in a backpack outside of an empty, abandoned house on Church Drive, less than two blocks from the victim’s house. The deputy entered another dilapidated, abandoned house nearby, which was open. After announcing his presence, the deputy found Mason Laviro Scragg lying on a mattress. A stolen 12 gauge shotgun was protruding from under the mattress directly beneath Scragg. Many other stolen items were strewn throughout the house, including more stolen firearms on top of the exposed ceiling rafters.
The deputy also found Rhodes hiding in a bedroom closet. Rhodes was carrying close to five grams of methamphetamine in her purse at the time.
Scragg was previously sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possessing the stolen firearms. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentences. The cases against Scragg and Rhodes were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman.
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California Man Sentenced for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a California man was sentenced in federal court on his conviction for being a felon in possession of firearms. Tiero Wash, 23, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Mercer County Home Confinement Office, and the Bluefield City Police Department.
It was previously established at the plea hearing that Wash illegally possessed firearms on two separate dates while on home confinement in Mercer County on unrelated state charges. On December 5, 2017, Mercer County Home Confinement Officers and Bluefield City Police Officers searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the search, officers located three different firearms. On January 1, 2018, officers again searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the second search, officers located another firearm. Wash was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted of the felony offense of Transporting Marijuana in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento in 2017.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Columbus, Ohio, woman pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandy Yvette Hodge, also known as “Jazz” or “Jazmine,” 27, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Sherriff’s Office.
“Going to prison for committing crimes for a boyfriend is not too smart,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The drug mules and distributors from places outside West Virginia are being prosecuted as quickly as we can process the cases and, in every instance, I push for the longest sentence permissible under the law.”
Based on information presented in public court records and hearings, Hodge began trafficking methamphetamine and heroin from Columbus to Jackson County, West Virginia, around January of this year, supplying multiple drug dealers. Police investigators subsequently arranged and executed six undercover buys of ounces of methamphetamine from Hodge on February 21, February 26, March 1, March 4, March 7, and March 13. Hodge admitted to selling at least around 40 ounces of methamphetamine in her plea agreement. Based on recorded jail calls and other evidence, investigators believe Hodge’s boyfriend was directing Hodge’s drug trafficking while he was incarcerated in Ohio.
Hodge faces up to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on September 16, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
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Charleston Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston man was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for distributing a mixture of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Christopher Tyler, 27, previously admitted that on August 29, 2018, he exchanged text messages with a female in Charleston and agreed to sell her a substance they both believed to be heroin. The female came to Tyler’s house on Glover Street in Charleston to pick up the substance and gave Tyler money. Tyler and the female continued to text that evening into the early morning hours. The next morning when Tyler called the female’s phone, he was informed she had died. Toxicology testing done by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that the substance Tyler sold to the female was a mixture of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and acetyl fentanyl, a schedule I controlled substance.
“Today, in a tragic case of the overdose death of a beautiful girl with a promising future, the United States sought and was granted an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “This office and this United States Attorney will seek upward departures from the sentencing guidelines in every possible case where it’s warranted to ensure that drug dealers spend every possible day that we can get them behind bars. When I met with the mom and dad of this beautiful young girl, it broke my heart to hear, to see and to feel their pain. It’s a pain that will never go away and no time will ever numb. All I can do as a United States Attorney is to fight for justice for every mom and dad in a similar circumstance.”
The United States moved the Court to depart upwards in Tyler’s sentence because of the female’s death. After hearing the testimony of witnesses and receiving evidence, including text messages from Tyler warning the female about the dangerousness of the drugs and instructing her on how to use it safely, as well as the testimony from a medical toxicologist on the cause of death, the Court found an upward departure to be appropriate. Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.
The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution.
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Huntington Man Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base or “crack,” announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
“Crack is back,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Sadly, crack is making a comeback. We aren’t going to tolerate another crack crisis like the 90s. We prosecute crack dealers just like we do any other drug dealer and we try to lock them up for as long as possible.”
Samuel Crawford, 40, previously admitted that on December 4, 2016, officers with the Huntington Police Department conducted a search warrant at Crawford’s residence at 204 West 6th Avenue in Huntington. Officers seized approximately 12 grams of crack cocaine. Crawford admitted he intended to sell the cocaine for money.
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Huntington Man Sentenced for Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 32 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute oxycodone, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Anthony Saunders, 45, previously admitted that on April 28, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of 28th Street in Huntington. Officers located approximately 562 oxycodone pills hidden under the carpet of the driver’s side of the vehicle.
“562 oxycodone pills,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Pills remain a serious problem. Diverting prescription opioids remains a serious problem in our communities and if we catch those violating the law, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Huntington Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man, Juan Isom, 55, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Isom previously admitted that on July 13, 2018, Troopers with the West Virginia State Police Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West executed a search warrant at his residence. Troopers located a Taurus .38 caliber revolver on the shelf of Isom’s nightstand. Isom was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2006 felony drug conviction in Gaston County, North Carolina.
The Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Former Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Role in Federal Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A former postal employee who helped deliver marijuana which was mailed from California to Huntington over a period of several years pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Chris Crookshanks, 43, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute marijuana in federal court in Huntington. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Virginia State Police – Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.
“Crookshanks was a letter carrier turned drug dealer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “He used his position with the U.S. Postal Service to participate in and further a scheme to distribute marijuana – a complete betrayal of the public trust.”
Between 2013 and March of 2018, Crookshanks conspired with James Waylon Molinaro and others to distribute marijuana in the Huntington area. During the conspiracy, Molinaro acquired marijuana in California and arranged for it to be shipped through the United States mail from California to Huntington. Once the parcels containing marijuana arrived in Huntington, Molinaro paid multiple postal employees, including Crookshanks who was a letter carrier with the postal service, to deliver the parcels on their assigned delivery routes or to meet Molinaro at other locations to provide the parcels to him. Crookshanks admitted that he was responsible for the delivery of up to 60 kilograms of marijuana during his participation in the conspiracy.
Molinaro pled guilty on August 1, 2019, to possession with intent to distribute marijuana based on his involvement in the conspiracy. Molinaro also pled guilty to prohibited possession of a firearm by a convicted felon stemming from an unrelated investigation and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2019.
Crookshanks faces up to 5 years in federal prison when he is sentenced, also on November 4, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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Dunbar Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar man was sentenced today after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Kenneth Stover, 43, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).
On August 31, 2017 detectives from MDENT searched Stover’s 18th Street residence in Dunbar as a result of citizen complaints of drug activity. The officers seized two firearms hidden underneath the comforter in Stover’s bedroom. Stover was prohibited from possessing the firearms due to a 2004 felony conviction in Putnam County of conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Charleston Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man, Dana Stevenson, 28, plead guilty today for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
On August 14, 2017, Charleston Police Department officers were searching for a suspect that was seen driving a stolen vehicle. Officers saw Stevenson walking by the Kanawha River. As officers approached, Stevenson threw a firearm into the river. The Charleston Police Department Dive Team later recovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol from the river. Stevenson was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2014 felony malicious wounding conviction in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Stevenson faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 4, 2019.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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California Man Sentenced for Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A California man was sentenced today to 10 months for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Gerardo Delgadillo, 22, previously admitted that on October 17, 2018, he had flown to Tri-State Airport in Kenova, West Virginia from California. He admitted to possessing approximately 30 pounds of marijuana in his suitcase. He admitted he intended to sell the marijuana.
“Thirty pounds of pot in a suitcase on a plane,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Marijuana is and remains illegal. We actively prosecute marijuana distribution regardless of whether it’s brought into West Virginia by plane, train, bus, boat, car, or UFO.”
The Violent Crime Drug Task Force West conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Detroit Man Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Detroit, Michigan man who possessed a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl for distribution in Cross Lanes, West Virginia was sentenced to 33 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). John Delaney Wilson, 36, previously plead guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin.
“Five felony drug convictions. Sadly, none of the previous four convictions taught the defendant to stop selling drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We need to take note of those that repeatedly offend and ensure their opportunities to re-offend are extremely limited. The Detroit Express from Detroit to West Virginia is being shut down one Detroit drug dealer at a time.”
On November 27. 2018, MDENT detectives executed a search warrant on an apartment in Cross Lanes they believed was being utilized to distribute heroin. Upon entering the residence, a detective observed Wilson running to the bathroom of the apartment and attempting to flush suspected narcotics down the toilet. A detective recovered the item Wilson attempted to flush and testing by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Lab confirmed the substance to be heroin containing fentanyl. Detectives had conducted a controlled buy of heroin earlier that day from another individual seen entering the apartment in Cross Lanes and recovered the recorded buy money in Wilson’s pants pockets during the execution of the search warrant.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. While imposing the sentence, the Court noted that Wilson had no connections to West Virginia and came to the area just to sale drugs. The Court further noted that this conviction was Wilson’s fifth felony drug conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman.
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Parkersburg Man Convicted at Trial of Child Pornography Crimes and Witness Tampering Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Daniel Roy Mace, 37, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for child pornography and witness tampering charges. Mace was previously convicted by a federal jury on 15 felony charges: 12 counts of receipt of child pornography on dates between June 24 and August 3, 2016; one count of distribution of child pornography; one count possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors; and one count of witness tampering. He will also be placed on supervised release for a term of 15 years following his release from prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
“We’re in the business of protecting our children,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Predators like Mace belong behind bars. I applaud the hard work of law enforcement and my prosecutors in this case.”
On August 1, 2016, law enforcement with the WVSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began a proactive investigation into local distributors of child pornography. After identifying a potential target in the Parkersburg area, a detective downloaded eight videos of child pornography from a user located in Parkersburg over a peer-to-peer file sharing network. On August 4, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the residence from which the child pornography was being shared. Law enforcement discovered Mace’s laptop in his bedroom, actively downloading child pornography from the same file-sharing services where law enforcement had downloaded the eight videos of child pornography. Upon examining Mace’s computer, law enforcement discovered over 80 videos of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Among the videos were all eight videos of child pornography that law enforcement had downloaded.
After Mace was arrested on a federal indictment charging him with numerous child pornography offenses, Mace began attempting to persuade a witness to provide a false alibi for him during testimony before a federal grand jury in January 2019. The jail calls between Mace and the witness were recorded.
The West Virginia State Police, the Parkersburg Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crime Against Children (VCAC) Task Force conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. handed down the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Alex Hamner handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Operation Mountaineer Highway Update: Fayette County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Fayette County man was sentenced in federal court on his conviction for conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, and a quantity of oxycodone. Eric Coleman, 21, of Scarbro, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Oak Hill Police Department.
“Every dad should be a good role model to their kid,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Sadly, this new felon’s dad wasn’t a role model at all, but rather a drug dealer. Now this 21-year-old is a felon with a two year prison sentence and tough prospects for the future. It’s a terrible tale and it happens too often. But the lack of a role model and a tough childhood is no excuse for criminal behavior. If you break the law, I’m going to prosecute you regardless of how sad your tale is or how tough your childhood was.”
At an earlier hearing, it was established that during the time period between October 2017, and July 31, 2018, Coleman assisted his father and other members of a drug trafficking organization in distributing oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine. Coleman previously admitted to law enforcement that he was assisting his father in distributing quantities of oxycodone in Fayette County. It was further established that during this time period, Coleman also distributed over 100 grams of heroin, and more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. Most of the distributions of controlled substances occurred at the Coleman’s residence in Scarbro. The prosecution of Coleman culminated from a joint investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies known as Mountaineer Highway.
Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and Andrew J. Tessman handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
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Chapmanville Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Federal Methamphetamine and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Chapmanville man was sentenced after pleading guilty to drug and firearm offenses, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Courtney Edward Dalton, 39, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The case was investigated by the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“Dealing meth, carrying a gun,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “It’s a sure way to end up in federal prison.”
On March 13, 2018, as part of an ongoing drug investigation, police stopped Dalton as he was driving on WV Route 10 in Harts, Lincoln County, West Virginia. Upon searching the vehicle, police found approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, marijuana, scales, and a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol. Dalton admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and that he carried the pistol in order to protect himself from being robbed of his drugs.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
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Wayne County Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Ammunition While Being a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Steven Ferguson, 40, of Wayne County, was sentenced today to nine months in prison for being a prohibited person while possessing ammunition, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
“If you want to own a firearm, you need to know the rules,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “If you’re prohibited, you’re prohibited from firearms and ammo. It’s pretty simple. And if we catch you in violation of the law, we’re going to prosecute you.”
On February 2, 2018, a Huntington Police Officer on patrol observed a black Dodge truck stuck in the mud in Rotary Park in Huntington. The officer observed two occupants in the vehicle. After observing and securing a large machete and a hunting knife, Ferguson told the officer a bag contained ammunition. Ferguson was prohibited from possessing the ammunition under federal law because of a 2012 misdemeanor domestic battery 2nd offense conviction in Cabell County Magistrate Court.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution of the case.
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Montgomery Felon Sentenced to Prison for Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A convicted felon from Montgomery, West Virginia, who was caught in possession of a firearm was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Timothy Gibbs II, 29, previously entered a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the South Charleston Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
On March 13, 2018, officers responded to a call regarding a man who had been shot in the back. After a thorough investigation, officers were able to determine that the shooter was Timothy Gibbs II. Gibbs had previously been convicted of forgery in Kanawha County, West Virginia, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Assistant United States Attorney Alex Hamner and former Assistant United States Attorney Matt Davis handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Kanawha County woman pled guilty to a federal drug charge in Charleston. Stephanie Lawhorn, 39, from Belle, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
“121 grams of meth. 14 grams of fentanyl. 53 grams of marijuana. Over $9,000 in cash,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Lawhorn’s car was a rolling smorgasbord of powerful drugs – an illegal smorgasbord – that we shut down.”
Lawhorn admitted that on September 27, 2018 law enforcement officers found her in possession of about 121 grams of methamphetamine, 14 grams of fentanyl, 53 grams of marijuana and $9,139 when they stopped the vehicle in which she was driving in Belle, West Virginia. Lawhorn admitted to officers that she intended to sell the drugs.
She faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced on October 23, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Belle Police Department and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Arthur is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided at the plea hearing.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Scheme Involving Postal EmployeesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who helped organize a scheme to mail marijuana from California to Huntington over a period of several years pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. James Waylon Molinaro ,43, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute marijuana in federal court in Huntington. Molinaro also entered a guilty plea to prohibited possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from an unrelated investigation. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the West Virginia State Police – Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Barboursville Police Department.
“Marijuana is and remains illegal under federal law,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “This United States Attorney prosecutes all Federal lawbreakers including marijuana offenses and will continue to do so. The collaborative work of law enforcement agencies in this case got a violent drug dealer -- Molinaro – off the streets.”
On March 15, 2018, agents located two parcels at the Huntington Post Office which had been mailed from the State of California to Huntington which were found to contain marijuana. Agents conducting surveillance observed a postal employee load the parcels into a postal delivery truck and drive to the Dollar General store located in the 800 block of Norway Avenue in Huntington. At that location, the postal employee provided the parcels to Molinaro who arrived in a separate vehicle. A trooper with the West Virginia State Police subsequently conducted a traffic stop of Molinaro’s vehicle in the 1000 block of 9th Street in Huntington and recovered the parcels. The parcels were found to contain a total of 16 pounds of marijuana which Molinaro admitted that he intended to distribute.
As part of his plea, Molinaro further admitted that between 2012 and March of 2018, he conspired with multiple postal employees to ship marijuana from California to Huntington for distribution. During the conspiracy, Molinaro acquired marijuana in California and arranged for it to be shipped through the United States mail to Huntington. Once the parcels arrived in Huntington, Molinaro paid multiple postal employees to deliver the parcels on their assigned delivery routes or to meet Molinaro at other locations to provide the parcels to him. Molinaro admitted that he was responsible for the shipment and distribution up to 400 kilograms of marijuana during the conspiracy.
Molinaro also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on July 29, 2018. On that date, Molinaro was at a night club on Route 60 in Barboursville when he was asked to leave after a club employee observed him possessing a firearm. Molinaro exited the club, fired multiple shots in the club’s parking lot, briefly left the scene, and then returned. A Barboursville police officer responding to a call for assistance at the club subsequently located Molinaro in possession of .38 caliber revolver. Molinaro was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on multiple prior felony convictions for distribution of cocaine and possession of cannabis for sale.
Molinaro faces up to 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 4, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who was arrested after a drug investigation pled guilty to federal drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. David Bond, 38, entered guilty pleas to two counts of distribution of heroin and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.
“Drug overdoses skyrocketed in Huntington because of heroin and fentanyl,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Together with our law enforcement partners we have focused our strategic enforcement and prosecution efforts on the drug traffickers responsible for spreading these dangerous and powerful drugs throughout our communities. They must be held accountable.”
Bond admitted that on three separate occasions between February 7, 2018, and February 20, 2018, he sold heroin and what he believed to be heroin, but in fact turned out to be fentanyl, to a confidential informant working with the DEA/HIDTA Task Force. The drugs sold on these dates were tested by the DEA Lab and confirmed to be heroin and fentanyl.
Bond now faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 4, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Keefe and Monica D. Coleman are handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. George Gordon, Jr., 46, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
“Gordon had 67 grams of fentanyl that he planned to distribute,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “If law enforcement had not intervened before he could do so, tens of thousands of lives could have been lost. Proud of my team for stopping this before he could wreak havoc, pain and death.”
On December 19, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at Gordon’s residence at 416 30th Street in Huntington. Officers recovered 67 grams of fentanyl from a jar in the kitchen.
Gordon faces between five and forty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 4, 2019.
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
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Cabell County Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A 68-year-old Cabell County was sentenced after pleading guilty to possession of over 150 images of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lanny Neece, of Huntington, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. After Neece is released from prison, he will be on supervised release for five years, and will also be required to register as a sex offender.
“Our children are a priority and need protected from predators like this,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Those who sexually exploit our children should know this – we’re coming for you.”
Neece admitted that on November 9, 2016, he possessed images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The collection of child pornography images was contained on a computer that Neece used in Huntington, West Virginia.
The Cleveland Resident Agency Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald and First Assistant Lisa G. Johnston handled the prosecution.
This case is being brought as part of U.S. Attorney Stuart’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Ronceverte Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamine and HydromorphoneRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Ronceverte man pled guilty to a federal drug charge in Bluefield. James Broyles, 36, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and hydromorphone.
“Drug dealers are not welcome here,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Our families don’t want them. Our communities don’t want them. And our children need protected from them. We are prosecuting at record numbers and we will stay on our hurried pace until these community fiends stop, leave or are put behind bars.”
Broyles admitted that on September 23, 2017 law enforcement officers found him in possession of about 25 grams of methamphetamine and 31 hydromorphone pills when they stopped the vehicle in which he was riding in Bluefield. Broyles admitted to officers that he intended to sell the drugs. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 25, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Bluefield Police Department and the Southern West Virginia Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided at the plea hearing.
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Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth DistributionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Stephanie Barnett, 36, of Kanawha County, entered a guilty plea in court today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Barnett brought over six pounds of meth from Cleveland back to Charleston for distribution – SIX POUNDS,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “When we shut down significant drug pipelines like this from out-of-state we protect our children and reduce the availability of these dangerous drugs in our communities.”
On February 6, 2019, Barnett’s vehicle was pulled over in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, by a Kanawha County Sheriff’s deputy. Barnett initially lied to the deputy about her name and age, and the deputy also smelled burnt marijuana inside the car. The deputy retrieved his K-9 partner, who also indicated that there were narcotics inside the car. Inside the console of the car, officers found a small baggie of methamphetamine. When the officers opened the trunk, they found a large, plastic bag that contained three large bricks of methamphetamine. Each brick weighed approximately two pounds. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA Mid-Atlantic Lab where it tested as being over 93% pure methamphetamine. Barnett had traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, where she received over six pounds of methamphetamine. She had intended to deliver the methamphetamine to local dealers in Charleston.
Barnett faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. will impose sentencing on October 30, 2019.
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Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.VA.– United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a Detroit, Michigan man pled guilty to an indictment charging him with federal drug crimes. Edward King, 29, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. The case was investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.
“Since the opioid epidemic began, Detroit drug dealers have wreaked havoc and destruction in West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The target that’s been on the backs of our citizens is now on the backs of the drug dealers. We’re focused in. Taking them down. And holding them accountable.”
During the plea hearing, King admitted that in April 2015 he conspired with another person to distribute oxycodone. He further admitted that he traveled to Charleston from Detroit on April 7, 2015 and that he possessed 115 30 milligram oxycodone pills which he intended to distribute in the Charleston area.
King faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 31, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing.
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Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Virginia man pled guilty today to a child pornography offense, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Conner Ray Blevins, of Vinton, Virginia, entered his guilty plea to two counts of production of child pornography.
“Heinous crime,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “There are far too many individuals like Blevins on social media with the intent of sexually exploiting children. We will prosecute every one we find and lock them up for as long as possible.”
Blevins admitted that on October 5, 2018, he traveled from his residence in Virginia to West Virginia, where he picked up two minors under the age of 12 with whom he had been communicating with over Facebook. Blevins took the minors to a hotel in Putnam County where he proceeded to record a video depicting himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with one of the minors. Blevins also admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the other minor as well.
Blevins faces at least 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 28, 2019. Upon his release from prison, he will be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The investigation was conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Department of Homeland—Security Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Two Local Men Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Three local men were sentenced today on federal drug crimes in United States District Court in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
“We’re working with our law enforcement partners 24/7 to identify and prosecute drug dealers like Pittman and Pardue who are poisoning our communities with meth and opioids,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Michael Pittman, 38, of Charleston, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. On October 9, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of 18th Street West and Jefferson Avenue for a report of a man down. When they arrived on scene, they found Pittman laying in the middle of the road with no shirt or shoes on. Pittman told officers he had just injected heroin. Officers found approximately 53 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 9 grams of heroin in Pittman’s truck. Pittman admitted he intended to sell the methamphetamine and heroin. The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.
In a separate proceeding, Richard Pardue, 34, of Huntington, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for selling heroin. Pardue previously admitted that on January 18, 2017, he met a confidential informant in Ona, West Virginia. He gave the informant ½ gram of heroin in exchange for $60. The Violent Drug and Crime Task Force West conducted the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed all of the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor prosecuted the cases.
Both cases were prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
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Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Credit Card Counterfeiting DeviceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.VA.– United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that an Austin, Texas man pled guilty today to being in possession of a device to counterfeit credit cards. Tofyk Ali Oro entered his guilty plea to illegal possession, production, or trafficking of device-making equipment. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service.
“Great work by federal law enforcement to thwart Oro’s plan,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Their work has prevented the victimization of many West Virginians.”
Oro admitted that on November 30, 2018 that he shipped 55 credit cards and the device equipment from Austin, Texas to Charleston, West Virginia. Oro also admitted the intent with the 55 cards was to defraud individuals whose accounts were linked to those cards.
Oro faces up to 15 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on October 21, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Arthur handled the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
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South Point Man Sentenced for Federal Meth ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A South Point, Ohio man who was caught selling methamphetamine in Huntington last year was sentenced to 62 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jose Cisneros, 28, previously entered a guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Drug Task Force.
“We’re prosecuting record numbers of meth dealers and the convictions are resulting in significant prison sentences,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Meth dealers should take heed.”
On October 25, 2018, an informant working at the direction of the FBI contacted Cisneros to arrange a meth transaction. Cisneros subsequently met the informant at a location in Huntington where he sold the informant one and a half ounces of methamphetamine in exchange for $650. Cisneros was arrested on November 6, 2018, in the 2900 block of 5th Avenue in Huntington and agents seized additional meth that Cisneros intended to distribute.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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Putnam County Man Sentenced to Prison for Lying on ATF Form to Obtain FirearmsRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Putnam County man was sentenced to prison for lying on an ATF form in an attempt to obtain firearms. Stephen Cyrus, 35, sentenced to 5 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
“Persons with domestic violence convictions are prohibited from having firearms for good reason,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “And we are working with ATF to keep guns out of the wrong hands and prevent gun crimes.”
Cyrus previously admitted that on March 20, 2018, he attempted to obtain four firearms from Ultimate Pawn & Performance. On the ATF form he lied about whether he had been previously convicted of domestic violence. Cyrus was prohibited from obtaining firearms under federal law because he was convicted of domestic battery on January 19, 2018 in Putnam County, West Virginia. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives conducted the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution.
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New Jersey Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A New Jersey man who was caught selling drugs near a school in West Huntington last September was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Moore Bellamy, 51, previously entered guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington Police Department.
“We don’t want drug dealers in our communities and this drug dealer should have stayed in New Jersey,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We certainly won’t tolerate drug peddling near our schools. Get near our children with your poisons and I’m going to hammer you to the fullest extent of the law. Our school zones are drug free zones. Cross that line and it’s a one way ticket to a federal pen.”
On September 12, 2018, after officers with the Huntington Police Department developed information that Bellamy was selling drugs in West Huntington, a search warrant was executed at his residence located at 1037 Madison Avenue. During the search, officers seized crack cocaine and heroin from a dresser in the residence. In a separate drawer of the same dresser containing the drugs, officers seized a loaded Springfield .45 caliber pistol, a loaded Ruger Model P85, 9mm pistol, and a loaded Imperial Metal, Model 9, .22 caliber revolver. Bellamy was arrested and admitted to officers that he possessed the drugs and firearms and that he had been selling both crack and heroin in the West Huntington area.
Bellamy’s residence is located within 1,000 feet of Grace Christian School, a private elementary and secondary school. Bellamy admitted at that he possessed the firearms to serve as protection based on his distribution of drugs. Bellamy was also prohibited from possessing firearms based on multiple prior felony convictions he received in the State of New Jersey.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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###Operation Mountaineer Highway Update: Fayette County Teenager Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a Fayette County teenager was sentenced in federal court for his role in a federal drug conspiracy. John D. Toney, 19, of Scarbro, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after a long-term investigation. Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Oak Hill Police Department.
“Tragic. The nightmare of every parent of a teenager,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The world is filled with opportunity and it’s awfully sad when one of our children alters their future by becoming a drug dealer.”
Toney previously admitted that from October 2017 through July 31, 2018, that he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine in Fayette County, West Virginia. Toney admitted that during this time period, he participated in the distribution of oxycodone pills, assisted other members of the drug trafficking organization in acquiring over 100 grams of heroin on July 16, 2018, and further admitted to distributing more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
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Dunbar Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Dunbar drug dealer pled guilty to federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Samuel Manriquez, 33, entered his guilty plea to distribution of furanyl fentanyl and U-47700. Furanyl fentanyl is an analog of fentanyl and U-477001 is a synthetic opioid. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”).
“The safety of a community is always at risk when there are drug transactions, and those risks are heightened when drug transactions involve firearms,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We are utilizing every resource at our disposal to take back the streets from violent poison peddlers, drug thugs and trigger pullers.”
Manriquez admitted that on May 8, 2017, on Delaware Avenue in Charleston he sold a confidential informant U-47700 and Furanyl Fentanyl. He also admitted that there was a firearm present during the drug transaction. Manriquez admitted that on the same date and at the same location, he sold another confidential informant U-47700.
Manriquez faces up to forty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 23, 2019. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Charleston Man Sentenced for Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston man was sentenced today to a total of 44 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and violating his federal supervised release conditions, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Antoine Brown was sentenced to 36 months in prison on the gun charge and received another 8 months in prison for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release. The Court ordered these two sentences to be served consecutively. The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
On December 16, 2018, Brown was driving a vehicle south on US 119 and was pulled over because an officer smelled burnt marijuana emanating from his vehicle at the intersection of US 119 and Oakwood Road. Brown moved a 9mm Taurus pistol from the center console of the vehicle and put it under a child’s car seat located in the back seat of the car. The firearm was loaded and operable. Brown’s child was seated in the backseat. Officers searched the vehicle and located the subject firearm. Brown is prohibiting from possessing firearms because he has previously been convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and Distribution of Heroin.
United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Boone County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A man from Nellis, West Virginia, pled guilty to federal drug trafficking offenses, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Russell Lee Gillenwater, 39, pled guilty to two counts of distributing methamphetamine and one count of distributing heroin and methamphetamine before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Meth and heroin are being trafficked in every county in my District,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “And in every county, we are working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals like Gillenwater who are distributing these dangerous drugs.”
Based on information presented in public court records and hearings, Gillenwater distributed methamphetamine on three separate occasions and heroin on one occasion to undercover police informants at different locations in Boone County.
Gillenwater faces up to 60 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 17, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
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Mexican National Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mexican national man pled guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Armando Vega-Covarrubias, 38, was immediately sentenced to a “time served” sentence, having served nearly four months in federal custody. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Vega-Covarrubias had two prior removals from two different states,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Let’s hope he doesn’t illegally reenter our country a fourth time.”
On March 25, 2019, Vega-Covarrubias was found in South Charleston, West Virginia by members of ICE who were conducting a field operation. ICE agents identified defendant get in a car and begin to drive away. The agents stopped the car. When defendant was stopped in his vehicle, he gave ICE agents a Mexican voter card and admitted being in the United States illegally. Vega-Covarrubias was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States. ICE agents spoke to defendant to confirm his identity. Vega-Covarrubias again admitted being in the United States illegally. Vega-Covarrubias had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.
Fingerprinting matched Vega-Covarrubias to two prior removals from the United States. His previous removals were in 2012 from Atlanta, Georgia and in 2016 from Williston, North Dakota. In both cases, Vega-Covarrubias was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Mexico. He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Vega-Covarrubias further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.
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Detroit Drug Dealer Sentenced to Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A drug dealer from Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”), the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the St. Albans Police Department, the Nitro Police Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.
“Detroit poison peddlers aren’t welcome here,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “When they come here to sell their deadly drugs and we find them, we will lock them up.”
Tyrece Ramone Phillips, also known as “Ty,” age 32, previously pled guilty to distributing acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl. As established by public court filings and hearings, on July 2, 2018, Phillips sold purported heroin to a confidential police informant near the 1000 block of 2nd Avenue in Charleston, West Virginia. Laboratory testing revealed that Phillips actually sold a drug mixture containing acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman.
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Project Parkersburg Update: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Jeffrey Hoyler, 56, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Hoyler was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Ohio Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.
“This DTO was bringing large amounts of deadly and dangerous narcotics into West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The dismantlement of this drug network is a huge win for West Virginia families.”
At his plea hearing, Hoyler admitted that in addition to distributing methamphetamine himself, he transported large quantities of cash to Phoenix, Arizona at the direction of co-defendants Aurelius Edmonds and Terrence McGuirk where Edmonds and others met with their source of supply to purchase the drugs.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.
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Huntington Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jeremy Midkiff, 38, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for his conviction for distributing fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Midkiff previously admitted that on May 2, 2017, he met a confidential informant in Huntington and gave the informant fentanyl in exchange for $70.
“Powerful fentanyl has killed far too many West Virginians and devastated our families and communities. Since the inception of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) one year ago, we’ve prosecuted every fentanyl dealer we find, regardless of drug quantity,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “As a result, we have 62 cases and 13 convictions, including Midkiff, to date.”
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
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Beckley Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Beckley man who was arrested after a drug investigation pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Kendall Cotten, 29, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute heroin before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Another peddler of heroin mixed with fentanyl convicted,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Fentanyl is a driver of death rates among drug users. So many of our citizens have lost their lives at the hands of drug dealers peddling these poisons. We are holding drug dealers accountable and pushing for tough actions and ever tougher sentences for those dealing these deadly poisons.”
Cotten admitted that on three separate occasions between November 28, 2017 and December 7, 2017, he sold what he believed to be heroin, but in fact turned out to be a mix of heroin and fentanyl, to a confidential informant working with the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The drugs sold on these dates were tested by the West Virginia State Police Crime Lab and confirmed to contain heroin and fentanyl. Cotten also admitted that on December 13, 2017, police executed a search warrant at this residence. During the search police officers recovered 122 bindles of heroin, $727 in cash that were the proceeds of drug trafficking activities, and a Ruger LCP .380 pistol. Cotten admitted that he intended to distribute the heroin found during the search warrant.
Cotten now faces a sentence of up to twenty years in federal prison on the federal drug charge. Cotten’s sentencing will be held on October 24, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.
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Statement of United States Attorney Mike Stuart on District's Successes in the Fight Against the Opioid Crisis at the One Year Mark of Operation S.O.S.Read the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart issued the following statement in response to the Department of Justice’s announcement of first year successes in Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.):
“It’s a remarkable record. Over the past year, we have worked with our law enforcement partners to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids that have ravaged my District and with it destruction, chaos and death. We are so pleased to have remarkable partnerships with our Operation SOS teams – the DEA and OCDETF – as we tackle this crisis on behalf of the people of West Virginia. I want to thank Attorney General Barr, the Department of Justice, and all of our law enforcement partners for allowing us to be a part of this critical operation and for committing the resources to allow us to make such critical progress.
Originally identified as one of the ten districts comprising Operation S.O.S., the Southern District has become a national leader in the fight against the purveyors of these poisons. In my district alone, in a single year, we have 62 cases pending as a result of Operation S.O.S. with 13 convictions. And most recently, a 1.2 kilogram mixture of fentanyl and heroin was seized from a defendant in one of those cases – enough fentanyl to kill more than 600,000 people. Those figures don’t even include the additional fentanyl we took off the street that could have killed more than 1.6 million people last year.
Our efforts are conducted with a sense of urgency. Everyday. 24/7/365. We are focused and working to end this terrible tragic tale. We are aggressively targeting the drug thugs that poison our children and our communities. The drug dealers, drug thugs, and poison peddlers need to understand they are not welcome here.
My record is tough - no revolving door for drug thugs or Detroit mules and I lock them up as long as we possibly can. There are more takedowns to come. These are our streets. And we’re taking them back.”
The full Department of Justice press release is below.
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The United States Department of JusticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES RESULTS IN FIGHT AGAINST THE OPIOID CRISIS AT ONE YEAR MARK OF OPERATION S.O.S.WASHINGTON – One year ago, the Justice Department announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers.
Over the past year, 10 districts with some of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country, each targeted a county where they focused on prosecuting every readily available case involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and other synthetic opioids, regardless of the drug quantity. These districts worked with DEA Special Operations Division to track and coordinate these street-level cases and also received additional assistance from the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).
“Our attorneys and law enforcement agents have spent the past year working tirelessly to disrupt the networks engaged in the trafficking of synthetic opioids. Today we are proud to share their successes in 10 of the districts most affected by this scourge,” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen said. “The Department of Justice’s efforts have resulted in countless successes from California to Maine. We have successfully sought enhanced sentences in cases that resulted in deadly overdoses, and we have boosted cooperation among the partners involved. There remains much work to be done, but Operation S.O.S. marks a crucial turning point in the fight against synthetic opioids.”
The 10 participating districts and some of their successes are listed below:
- The Eastern District of California has reported a total of 27 Operation S.O.S. investigations in which the narcotics seized have included kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
- The Eastern District of Kentucky has reported 15 investigations with six to eight new investigations being added monthly and has charged nine sentence-enhanced “death resulting” cases.
- The District of Maine has an additional 30 cases as a result of Operation S.O.S.
- The District of New Hampshire has had 41 cases through Operation S.O.S. that have resulted in indictments with fentanyl being distributed in 39 of those cases amongst other drugs.
- The Northern District of Ohio has indicted 71 defendants under Operation S.O.S., and has seen a 12 percent decrease in overdose deaths from the previous year.
- The Southern District of Ohio has 58 Operation S.O.S. investigations of the 58 investigations, 52 involve fentanyl distribution.
- The Western District of Pennsylvania noticed the decline in overdose deaths in the county they originally had targeted. This decline was attributed to a large number of people moving out of the targeted county to attempt to circumvent the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has refocused their resources to target the county where fatal overdoses have increased the most.
- The Eastern District of Tennessee has reported seven Operation S.O.S. cases involving 39 defendants, with a number of those including “death resulting” cases.
- The Northern District of West Virginia has 22 Operation S.O.S. cases with one “death resulting” prosecution. One of these investigations resulted in eight separate cases involving 35 defendants.
- The Southern District of West Virginia has 62 cases pending as a result of Operation S.O.S. with 13 convictions. Just recently, a 1.2 kilogram mixture of fentanyl and heroin was seized from a defendant in one of those cases.
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Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marcus Smith, 46, from Charleston, West Virginia, was sentenced to 37 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Smith previously pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On August 29, 2017, a Hurricane Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in Hurricane. Smith was a passenger in the vehicle. Officers located a loaded firearm under his seat. Smith was prohibited from possessing the firearm under federal law because of multiple prior felony convictions.
The case was investigated by the Hurricane Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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St. Albans Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a Charleston woman was sentenced in federal court on her convictions for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Amy Wilkinson, 44, of St. Albans, was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department STOP Team and the DEA Task Force.
“Another peddler of deadly heroin and fentanyl goes to federal prison,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Law enforcement and prosecution play critical roles in addressing the opioid epidemic.”
At Wilkinson’s plea hearing earlier this year, it was established that Wilkinson possessed controlled substances with the intent to distribute on two different dates. On February 22, 2017, officers with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and DEA Task Force officers executed a search warrant on Empire Drive near St. Albans. During the execution of the search warrant, officers found Wilkinson inside the residence in possession of fentanyl that was individually packaged for distribution. Wilkinson admitted on that date that she intended to distribute the fentanyl in and around Kanawha County.
On March 2, 2017, Wilkinson was caught again in possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. On this date, an investigation by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department discovered that Wilkinson had been selling drugs from a motel room in St. Albans. A search of the motel room revealed that Wilkinson was in possession of 23 grams of heroin that she admitted she intended to distribute in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
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Operation Mountaineer Highway Update: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty for his participation in a drug trafficking operation in Fayette County, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. James Terry, 38, of East Orange, New Jersey, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Oak Hill Police Department.
“Operation Mountaineer Highway shut down a significant DTO responsible for bringing large amounts of oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, meth and cocaine into our central and southern counties,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Terry is one of the 12 defendants charged by federal indictment as a result of the very thorough investigation conducted by law enforcement.”
Terry admitted that between October 2017 and September 2018, he worked with other members of a drug trafficking organization operating between Fayette County, West Virginia and New Jersey to distribute oxycodone pills. It was established that on May 31, 2018, Terry distributed over 500 oxycodone pills to another member of the drug trafficking organization in Fayette County, West Virginia. Terry obtained the oxycodone tablets in New Jersey and transported them to West Virginia. It was further established that on June 20, 2018 he was driving a car again transporting oxycodone pills from New Jersey to West Virginia. It was the plan to deliver the pills to the same member of the drug trafficking organization in West Virginia to be redistributed and sold illegally in the Southern District of West Virginia for profit. Prior to delivering the pills to West Virginia, the car Terry was driving was stopped by the Pennsylvania State Police. During the traffic stop, approximately 997 oxycodone pills were recovered. The pills were hidden in a secret compartment, commonly referred to as a trap.
Terry faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000.00 fine when he is sentenced on October 3, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
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Honduran Man Sentenced for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Honduran man was sentenced to “time served” for an immigration crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Elmer Hernandez, 30, entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien on May 15, 2015 and has been in federal custody for four months. He was immediately remanded to ICE officials for removal proceedings. Stuart commended the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the West Virginia State Police.
“Like so many others, Hernandez returned to the United States illegally after a previous removal,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We will continue to prosecute line skippers until they follow our laws.”
On March 9, 2019, a West Virginia State Police trooper saw a car that was stopped at Mile Marker 52 on the West Virginia Turnpike outside of Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Three men were standing outside a car with its emergency blinkers on. When the trooper pulled in, the men ran to the car and began to drive away. The trooper asked the driver what was happening and for a drivers license. The driver could not communicate with the trooper due to a language barrier and did not have a drivers license. The trooper contacted a translator service provided by ICE to assist. The driver and two other individuals spoke with ICE agents telephonically and all three were found to be in the United States illegally. All three men were taken into custody and fingerprinted. Hernandez, one of the three men, was found to be a prior reentry. Specifically, his prints matched a prior removal from Pennsylvania in 2015. Hernandez further admitted to ICE agents that he was in the United States illegally and had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States. He had not otherwise sought legal status or citizenship. Hernandez further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Honduran citizen.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution.
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Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Nekko Johnie Daniel, 31, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, and the West Virginia State Police.
“Another drug dealer nabbed off the Detroit Express,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Daniel will now be taking the bus to federal prison.”
Based on information presented in public court records and hearings, on December 12, 2016, Daniel traveled by bus from Detroit, Michigan, to the Greyhound station in Charleston, where he left in a car. Police investigators stopped Daniel’s car after it failed to maintain its lane while traveling south on Interstate 77. The investigators smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and searched it, ultimately recovering a half-ounce of marijuana from Daniel’s person and 540 oxycodone pills in his bag.
Daniel faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 30, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
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Logan County Man Pleads Guilty to Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that David Lee Walls, 57, of Logan County, West Virginia, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. 119 Task Force conducted the investigation.
Walls admitted that he had possessed ten different firearms despite his status as a convicted felon. Walls faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 11, 2019.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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