Southern District of West Virginia
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Officials to recognize Charleston Police and Firefighters for preventing drug overdoseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin, joined by Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster, Charleston Fire Department Captain Mark Strickland, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director/Health Officer Dr. Michael Brumage, and other local officials will be recognizing the drug overdose prevention efforts of Charleston Police Department Patrolmen Seth Johnson and Nick Castleman and the Charleston Fire Department at a press conference at Charleston City Hall on Friday, November 6, 2015, at 12:30 p.m.
Patrolmen Johnson and Castleman are the first Charleston Police Officers to use Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. The two officers recently responded to an overdose call and upon arrival, they used their training to quickly assess the situation and administer Narcan to stop a heroin overdose. The actions of Patrolmen Johnson and Castleman were largely made possible by the work of the Charleston Fire Department to forge partnerships and conduct overdose prevention training with local law enforcement and first responders.
This event will serve to commend the lifesaving actions of these individuals and acknowledge the commitment of local agencies to have their personnel trained in the use of Narcan as a powerful tool in the fight against drug abuse.
WHO:
- United States Attorney Booth Goodwin
- Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster
- Charleston Fire Department Captain Mark Strickland
- Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director/Health Officer Dr. Michael Brumage
- Other local officials
WHAT:
- Press conference to recognize the drug overdose prevention efforts of Charleston Police and Firefighters
WHERE:
- Charleston City Hall – Third Floor, A/V Room (adjacent to City Council Chambers)
- 501 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, WV 25301
WHEN:
- Friday, November 6, 2015, at 12:30 p.m.
Logan County man pleads guilty in Federal court to selling oxycodoneRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Jonathan Belcher, 37, of Mt. Gay, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to distributing oxycodone. Belcher admitted to selling oxycodone to a confidential informant at his residence on August 25, 2014. He further admitted to having sold oxycodone pills for approximately two years prior to his arrest. Belcher faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine when he is sentenced in federal court in Charleston on February 22, 2016.
This case was investigated by the U.S. 119 Drug Task Force. The prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Three defendants sentenced on Federal drug charges in BluefieldRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that three defendants were sentenced on drug charges in federal court in Bluefield, West Virginia.
Aree Lumpkins, 20, of Princeton, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for using a telephone to arrange for the distribution of hydromorphone. Lumpkins pleaded guilty in July, and admitted that on October 30, 2014, he used a telephone in Bluefield to help set up a drug deal with an informant. Later that day Lumpkins completed the drug deal, and Lumpkins admitted that he distributed drugs to the informant on several other occasions.
Craig Arnold Young, 42, of Lashmeet, was sentenced to one year and one month in federal prison for using a telephone to arrange a drug deal involving hydromorphone. He pleaded guilty in July, admitting that on December 16, 2014, he used a telephone in or near Lashmeet to help carry out a drug transaction with an informant. Shortly after that telephone conversation, Young met with the informant to finish the drug deal. Young further admitted that he had distributed a total of 255 hydromorphone pills over time.
Lumpkins and Young were investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Bluefield Pill Initiative. Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution of these cases. The Bluefield Pill Initiative is a collaborative, multi-agency regional law enforcement effort designed to halt prescription drug trafficking in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties. The Bluefield Pill Initiative is led by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming County Sheriff’s Departments; and the Bluefield and Princeton Police Departments.
Another defendant, Antonio Padgett, 36, of Welch, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for crack distribution. Padgett pleaded guilty in July, admitting that on March 16, 2011, he distributed about five grams of crack to an informant in Welch. Padgett further admitted that he was involved in additional crack deals. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, and the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Frail handled the prosecution.
These cases were all prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat illegal drugs in our communities, including the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down drug trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and other drugs in communities across the Southern District.
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Mingo County man pleads guilty to lying on form when purchasing a firearmRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Gene Autry Brinager, Jr., 52, of Delbarton, Mingo County, West Virginia pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to lying on a form when purchasing a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. In April of 2010, Brinager purchased two firearms from Williamson Gun and Archery, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Williamson, and he filled out a Department of Justice form required for anyone who purchases a firearm from a federally licensed dealer. On that form, Brinager falsely stated that he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to a depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance. At the time he filled out the form, Brinager knew that he was an unlawful user of and addicted to opiate pills, a controlled substance and a narcotic. Brinager faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 4, 2016.
This case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by working with existing local programs that target gun crime.
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California man pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute hydromorphoneRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Lawrence Ray Bennett, Jr., 31, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bluefield, West Virginia, to conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone. Bennett admitted that from July 2014 to September 2015, he and a co-defendant used the mail to ship and receive hydromorphone. Bennett mailed the drugs from California to his co-defendant, who then sold the pills in and around Bluefield and Princeton, and mailed the proceeds back to Bennett in California. During the investigation of the case, agents seized over 2,500 hydromorphone pills and approximately $19,000 in cash.
Bennett faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The sentencing is scheduled for February 17, 2016, in federal court in Bluefield.
The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the United States Postal Service conducted the investigation.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Bluefield Pill Initiative, a collaborative, multi-agency regional law enforcement effort designed to halt prescription drug trafficking in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming counties. The Bluefield Pill Initiative is led by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming County Sheriff’s Departments; and the Bluefield and Princeton Police Departments.
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Detroit man pleads guilty in Federal court to possession of heroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man found in possession of heroin in April 2015 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Cordell Lopasker McCarrall, Jr., 21, pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia, to possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On April 2, 2015, agents with the DEA Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence located at 2017 9th Avenue, Apartment 1, in Huntington. When agents executed the warrant, McCarrall ran from the residence and was quickly apprehended. During a search of the residence, agents located approximately 90 grams of heroin, $6,700 in cash, paraphernalia used in the distribution of heroin, and a magnetic concealment box commonly used to transport heroin. McCarrall admitted at his plea hearing that he possessed the heroin that agents seized in the search, and intended to sell it. McCarrall also admitted that he conspired with others to distribute heroin from November 2014 to April 2015 and that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 700 grams of heroin.
McCarrall faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is schedule to be sentenced on February 1, 2016.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Detroit drug dealer sentenced to six years and eight months in Federal prisonRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man found with heroin and oxycodone pills in Huntington in 2013 was sentenced today to six years and eight months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. David Darrell Walker, 37, previously pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia, to possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On August 8, 2013, members of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 1301 15th Street in Huntington. Officers found Walker in the residence and seized approximately 35 grams of heroin, 42 oxycodone pills and two guns. Walker admitted as part of his guilty plea that he intended to distribute the heroin and pills from the residence.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Ohio Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Chesapeake man pleads guilty in Federal court to distributing heroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Chesapeake, Ohio, man who conspired with others to distribute heroin in 2014 and 2015 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Alan R. Nolan, 35, pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington, West Virginia, to distributing heroin.
On March 3, 2015, a confidential informant working at the direction of the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted Roger Lee Black to arrange the purchase of heroin. Black and Nolan met the informant in a parking lot of a car dealership near Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington, where Nolan distributed approximately 10 grams of heroin to the informant in exchange for $1,200. As part of his plea, Nolan admitted that he conspired with Black and others to distribute heroin from November 2014 to April 2015. Nolan also admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of up to 700 grams of heroin.
Nolan faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is schedule to be sentenced on February 1, 2016. Black, a co-defendant in this case, who pleaded guilty in federal court last week to distribution of heroin, also faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 25, 2016.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Ohio woman pleads guilty in Federal court to passing counterfeit moneyRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Paula K. Green, 42, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Beckley to passing counterfeit $100 bills. Green admitted to passing the counterfeit money in Beckley and Charleston, West Virginia. In Beckley, Green passed the counterfeit bills at the Crossroads Mall and the K-Mart at the Plaza Mall located off Robert C. Byrd Drive. In Charleston, Green passed the bills at K-Mart on MacCorkle Avenue.
As a result of her plea to three felony counts, Green faces a penalty of up to 60 years in federal prison and a fine of $750,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 11, 2016 at the federal courthouse in Beckley.
In related cases, three other women, O’wynn Rogers, of Beckley, Kenyata Smith, of Beckley, and Nyteria Green, of Columbus, Ohio, previously pled guilty to passing counterfeit $100 bills. Smith was sentenced to two years of supervised probation on October 21, 2015. Rogers and Green are both scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2015, at the federal courthouse in Beckley.
The investigation in all of these matters was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution.
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Mt. Hope man pleads guilty to Federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Ron Perdue, 54, of Mt. Hope, West Virginia, plead guilty today in federal court in Beckley to distributing oxycodone. Perdue admitted that on October 22, 2014, he sold oxycodone to a person who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place on Ewart Avenue in Beckley, West Virginia.
Perdue faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. United States Magistrate Judge R. Clarke VanDervort scheduled the sentencing for February 11, 2016.
The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigation.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and opiates. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Lincoln county nurse sentenced in Federal court for obtaining drugs by fraudRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Betty Jo Tudor, 35, of Alkol, West Virginia, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to five years of probation for obtaining hydrocodone by fraud. Tudor, a former nurse at Sweetbriar Assisted Living in Dunbar, West Virginia, previously pled guilty and admitted that in June of 2013 she stole hydrocodone intended for patients for her own personal use and falsified records to cover up the theft.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Charleston man sentenced by Federal court for distribution of heroinRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Matthew Watts, II, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston to three years of supervised probation for distribution of heroin. As a condition of the probation, Watts is required to serve eight months on home confinement, perform 400 hours of public service, and participate in an AA program.
Watts pleaded guilty to distributing heroin on July 30, 2015, in federal court in Charleston. Watts admitted that on September 17, 2014, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with law enforcement authorities. The drug deal took place in Charleston at the 7-Eleven parking lot located on Washington Street, West.
The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Media advisoryRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that effective immediately, Assistant United States Attorney Clint Carte will be the primary contact for media inquiries concerning the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. AUSA Carte will serve as the Public Information Officer, in addition to his duties as a criminal Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District’s Charleston Office.
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Multiple defendants plead guilty to Federal drug chargesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that multiple defendants from southern West Virginia plead guilty to federal drug charges. Two defendants from Beckley and one defendant from Oak Hill entered their guilty pleas in federal court in Beckley, West Virginia. These crimes involved the unlawful distribution of drugs and the illegal facilitation of drug sales.
Shawn Haines, 43, of Beckley, plead guilty to distributing oxycodone. Haines admitted that on October 28, 2014, he sold oxycodone to a person cooperating with law enforcement on Christopher Drive in Beckley, West Virginia. Haines faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Another defendant from Beckley, Jamal Johnson, 25, plead guilty to distributing cocaine. Johnson admitted that on June 22, 2015, he sold cocaine to a confidential informant on Industrial Drive in Beckley. Johnson faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Jason Treadway, 33, of Oak Hill, also plead guilty to using a telephone to twice arrange heroin deals. Treadway admitted that on March 12, 2015, and on May 6, 2015, he used a telephone to set up heroin deals on Robert C. Byrd Drive in Beckley with a person cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Treadway faces up to 8 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.
These defendants are all scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Beckley on February 11, 2016.
The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit conducted the investigations of these crimes.
These cases were prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat illegal drugs in our communities, including the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and opiates. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Former teacher sentenced for purchasing a firearm for a known felonRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Jennifer Napier, 39, of East Bank, West Virginia was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to one year and one day, as well as three years supervised release, for straw purchasing a firearm for a person she knew to be a convicted felon. In October of 2011, Napier purchased a firearm from the Trading Post, a federally licensed firearms dealer, in Marmet, West Virginia, and she filled out a Department of Justice form required for anyone who purchases a firearm from a federally licensed dealer. On that form, Napier falsely stated that she was the transferee/buyer of the firearm, when she knew that the true transferee of the firearm was her convicted drug felon boyfriend who was prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms because of his felony conviction. Napier, a former teacher, agreed to voluntarily surrender her permanent professional teaching certificate and not reapply to get her certificate back until her federal sentence, including any term of supervision, has expired.
This case was investigated by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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Logan county woman pleads guilty to submitting fraudulent federal tax returnsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Maria Martin, 64, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to preparing fraudulent tax returns, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Martin admitted that from 2011 through 2013, she prepared 43 fraudulent tax returns from her Logan County home. Specifically, Martin admitted that she claimed tax credits for her clients to which she knew they were not entitled, knowing that the improper credits would increase their tax refunds. Martin filed the fraudulent returns electronically and directed that the inflated refunds be deposited in bank accounts that she designated. Upon receipt of the refunds, Martin split the money with her clients. As a result of the fraudulent returns, the United States paid $188,665 in refunds to Martin and her clients to which they were not entitled. As part of her plea agreement, Martin has agreed to pay $188,655 in restitution.
Martin faces up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2016.
The Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution.
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Culloden man pleads guilty to Federal heroin distributionRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Culloden man who sold heroin and assisted others in selling heroin from his home pleaded guilty today in federal court in Huntington, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Sanford Dale Cremeans, 45, pleaded guilty to distributing heroin, admitting that on December 2, 2014, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working at the direction of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force. The drug deal took place at Cremeans’ home at 2246 3rd Street in Culloden, West Virginia. Cremeans also admitted that he assisted in the sale of heroin from his home on numerous other occasions and was responsible for the distribution of up to 100 grams of heroin.
Cremeans faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is schedule to be sentenced on January 25, 2016.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Barboursville man pleads guilty to Federal heroin chargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Barboursville man who conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Huntington area in 2014 and 2015 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Roger Lee Black, 34, pleaded guilty to distributing heroin and admitted that on February 26, 2015, a confidential informant working at the direction of the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted him to buy heroin. Black met the informant and drove the informant to Black’s home at 21 Vincent Street in Barboursville, West Virginia. Inside the home, Black sold the informant approximately 10 grams of heroin for $1,200. Black also admitted that he was part of a heroin distribution conspiracy from November of 2014 to April of 2015, and that during the conspiracy, he possessed multiple firearms and was responsible for the distribution of up to 700 grams of heroin.
Black faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and is schedule to be sentenced on January 25, 2016.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Ohio man sentenced to eight years in Federal prison for drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Belpre, Ohio man who organized a large-scale drug trafficking ring in and around Washington County, Ohio and Wood County, West Virginia was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Brent Jason Sidwell, 33, of Belpre, Ohio previously pleaded guilty in April of 2015 to conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
In the fall of 2013 members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Washington County (Ohio) Major Crimes Task Force began working with an informant to purchase marijuana and cocaine from Sidwell and his associates in Belpre and Parkersburg. Many of the transactions occurred at the former 5th Street Pub in Parkersburg. The pub was owned by Sidwell and operated by him and several associates. Investigators eventually obtained a wiretap of Sidwell’s phone. In April 2014, task force personnel executed search warrants at numerous locations including Sidwell’s residence, several “stash houses” used by the organization, and an apartment and rented storage unit in Mineral Wells, West Virginia where they seized drugs, scales, cash, and other evidence.
Sidwell admitted to obtaining and distributing up to 3,000 kg of marijuana over the course of the conspiracy from the fall of 2010 until April 2014. The marijuana was obtained on consignment from out-of-state sources. After selling the drugs to local dealers, Sidwell and other members of the organization made payment in the form of bulk cash deliveries, wire transfers, preloaded debit cards, and by depositing money in the local branch of a large bank where it would be immediately withdrawn at another branch. Sidwell’s organization primarily supplied dealers in marijuana and cocaine. In turn, the dealers distributed the drugs in and around Washington County, Ohio and Wood County, West Virginia.
Numerous other individuals were prosecuted as part of this investigation. Timothy Fields, 38, of Vienna previously pleaded guilty to distribution of marijuana and cocaine. He was sentenced in January 2015 to six years in federal prison. Dustin Jarvis, 34, of Mineral Wells, West Virginia pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. He was sentenced in August 2015 to 8 years in federal prison. Christopher Paul Johnson, 43, of Parkersburg, West Virginia pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison in May 2015. Joshua Neal McVey, 32, of Parkersburg, West Virginia pleaded guilty on October 14, 2015 to possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, 2016. David Aaron Naylor, 29, of Vienna, West Virginia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine. He will be sentenced on October 21, 2015. Other individuals have been prosecuted by state authorities in Washington County, Ohio and Wood County, West Virginia.
This case represents the ongoing cooperation between the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Washington County Major Crimes Task Force, the Wood County, West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney, the Washington County, Ohio, Prosecuting Attorney, the Ohio Organized Crime Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the federal prosecution.
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Columbus man sentenced to 18 months for being a felon in possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Randall Walker, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. In June of 2014, officers with the Charleston Police Department were called to the Greyhound bus station to respond to a complaint about an individual with two firearms. At the bus station, officers made contact with Walker, who admitted that he had two guns in his bag. A search of the bag revealed a Taurus, model Ultra-Light, .38 caliber revolver, and a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber pistol. Walker had previously been convicted in Horry County, South Carolina of Second Degree Burglary, Possession of Crack Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine, all felony offenses punishable by terms of imprisonment of more than one year. These convictions preclude Walker from possession of any firearm.
The investigation was handled by the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman was in charge of the prosecution.
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West Virginia man sentenced in Federal court for filing fraudulent tax returnsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A West Virginia man who filed numerous false federal tax returns was sentenced today to 19 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Michael Jarrell, 40, of Hurricane, West Virginia, previously pleaded guilty on July 8, 2015, to one count of filing a false tax return in the name of a family member without authorization. At the plea hearing, Jarrell also admitted that he had filed false tax returns from 2007 through 2011 in the names of 11 other relatives, neighbors and friends without their authorization. In total, Jarrell filed 12 false tax returns, seeking tax refunds of nearly $120,000. Jarrell was paid $67,968 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled. In addition to the prison term, Jarrell was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for the full amount of the fraudulent tax refunds he received.
The Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation as part of its Stolen Identity Refund Fraud initiative. Assistant United States Attorney Eumi Choi handled the prosecution.
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Princeton man sentenced to 27 months in Federal prison on drug chargeRead the Press Release
Bluefield, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Scotty Edward Blankenship was sentenced in federal court in Bluefield yesterday to 27 months in federal prison for using a telephone to facilitate the sale of hydromorphone. Blankenship, 54, of Princeton, pled guilty in June of 2015, admitting that on October 17, 2014, he used a telephone to set up a drug deal, and that shortly after that conversation he sold two hydromorphone pills to an informant. Blankenship also admitted that he distributed ten additional pills during the course of the investigation.
The case was investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Bluefield Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Princeton area man pleads guilty to role in hydromorphone conspiracyRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Peter B. McKinley, Jr., 32, of Princeton, West Virginia, plead guilty in federal court in Bluefield to conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone. McKinley admitted that from July of 2014 to September of 2015, he and a co-defendant used the mail to ship and receive hydromorphone. McKinley received the drugs in packages mailed from Los Angeles, California. He then sold the pills in and around Bluefield and Princeton, West Virginia. After the sales, McKinley admitted that he mailed packages containing drug proceeds back to California. During the investigation of the case, agents seized over 2,500 hydromorphone pills and approximately $19,000 in cash.
McKinley faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. United States District Judge David A. Faber scheduled the sentencing for February 17, 2015.
The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the United States Postal Service conducted the investigation.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and opiates. The United States Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Mercer County man sentenced for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A 31-year old Mercer County man received eight years and one month in federal prison, after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Lindsey Dale Bowling, of Princeton, West Virginia was sentenced before Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield. After Bowling is released from prison, he will be on supervised release for 20 years.
Bowling admitted that on November 21, 2013, he possessed images and videos of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were on his personal computer located at his residence in Princeton, West Virginia. The investigation further revealed that defendant was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download child pornography and that he transferred some of the child pornography images and videos to discs.
The West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is being brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.
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Charleston man pleads guilty to illegal possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
Charleston, WV – A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. John Stanley Ford, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston.
Ford admitted that on February 26, 2014, he possessed a firearm that he threw in the bushes when he was approached by Charleston Police Department officers. Ford was previously convicted of Wanton Endangerment in Kanawha County Circuit Court, and his rights to possess a firearm had not been restored. Ford faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 12, 2016.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is in charge of the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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White Sulphur Springs woman pleads guilty to Federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
Beckley, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a White Sulphur Springs woman pled guilty to a federal drug charge in federal court in Beckley. Paula Kay Butts, 50, pled guilty to using a communication facililty to facilitate a felony drug offense, admitting that on June 27, 2015, she used a telephone to help set up a drug deal with a confidential informant. Later that day Butts completed the deal, distributing methamphetamine to the informant. When Butts used the telephone, she was in or near White Sulphur Springs.
She faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced on January 28, 2016. This case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Greenbrier Valley Heroin and Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the sale and use of heroin and illicit prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down drug trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of heroin and other opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.
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Lewisburg man pleads guilty to Federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
Beckley, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that a Lewisburg man pled guilty to a federal drug charge in federal court in Beckley. Miles Gregory, 41, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone, admitting that on July 2, 2015, he possessed about 25 oxycodone pills and 279 hydrocodone pills in a car he was driving in Lewisburg, and that he intended to distribute the pills. Law enforcement authorities seized the pills during a search of Gregory’s vehicle. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a one million dollar fine when he is sentenced on January 28, 2016.
The case was investigated by the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Greenbrier Valley Heroin and Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the sale and use of heroin and illicit prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down drug trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of heroin and other opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.
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Media advisoryRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Pursuant to the Court’s directive in the case of United States v. Blankenship, all government exhibits admitted into evidence and published to the jury will be made available to the press and the public no later than 9:00 a.m., the day after admission and publication of the exhibits. The exhibits will be posted to a link on the website of United States Attorney Booth Goodwin at http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv.
Oak Hill man sentenced to more than a year in Federal child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W. Va. - United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that William A. Cracraft, 52, of Oak Hill, West Virginia was sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Cracraft’s incarceration will be followed by 25 years of supervised release, and he will be required to register as a sex offender. As part of his plea agreement, Cracraft agreed to forfeit his computers and cell phones that contained child pornography for destruction. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,500 to victims of his crime.
The investigation established that Cracraft was in possession of more than 600 photographs and videos of child pornography on his computers and cell phones, including sexually explicit depictions of prepubescent minors. Some of the images showed sadistic or masochistic conduct, while others depicted violence toward the minor children.
The Department of Homeland Security and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes was responsible for the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/PSCpage.html.
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Kanawha County, West Virginia, Property Manager and Owner to Pay $120,000 to Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed by Justice DepartmentRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the owner and former property manager of Perkins Parke Apartments (Perkins Parke) in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, have agreed to pay $120,000 in damages and civil penalties to settle a lawsuit alleging that three former agents sexually harassed and retaliated against female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
The department’s complaint, filed in November 2014, alleged that Perkins Parke’s district manager, Anthony James, and maintenance worker, Christopher T. James, sexually harassed female tenants at the complex, and that Perkins Parke’s site manager, Kisha James, failed to take appropriate steps when tenants complained about the harassment. The complaint alleged that the harassment included entering the residences of female tenants without permission or notice; coercing female tenants to engage in unwelcome sexual acts; making unwelcome sexual comments and unwelcome sexual advances to female tenants; subjecting female tenants to unwanted sexual touching and other unwanted sexual acts; and taking adverse actions against female residents when they refused the sexual advances or reported the unwelcome conduct. This lawsuit arose as a result of complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by five tenants. After an investigation of the complaints, HUD issued a charge of discrimination and referred the case to Justice Department.
The settlement, which is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of West Virginia, requires Perkins’ Parke former property manager, Encore Management Company Inc., and the property’s owner, Perkins Parke LP, to pay $110,000 to eleven victims of sexual harassment and $10,000 to the United States as a civil penalty. The settlement resolves the lawsuit with respect to Encore Management Company Inc. and Perkins Parke LP, but not the individual defendants.
“Women and their families should not be subjected to sexual harassment in their homes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to vindicate the rights of those who are subject to sexual harassment.”
“Few things are more fundamental to success and happiness than having a safe place to live” said U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin of the Southern District of West Virginia. “Everyone has a right to live in a safe environment, free from harassment of any kind. Put simply, apartment owners must ensure that their managers and staff respect these basic rights and understand that violations will not be tolerated.”
“Women trying to provide a home for their families should not have to suffer the indignity of having to submit to unwanted sexual demands in order to keep that housing,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Assistant Secretary for HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office. “Today's settlement sends a loud and clear message to property owners and managers that HUD and the Justice Department are committed to addressing practices that violate the rights of women.”
Fighting illegal housing discrimination is a top priority of the Department of Justice. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Justice Department at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or through its website at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp.
Ohio man pleads guilty to Federal health care fraudRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Joshua Petrie, 36, of Proctorville, Ohio, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Huntington to federal health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Petrie admitted that he worked as a sales representative and fitter for several out of state companies that sold and distributed back and knee braces from a medical practice in West Virginia. Petrie created false documents showing that he provided braces to patients when, in fact, he had not. The false documents included a certification from a physician indicating that the physician had ordered the braces for individual Medicare patients, but Petrie used copies of a pre-signed physician’s order that was not specific to these patients. The false documents also included a delivery ticket with a signature line for patients to acknowledge receipt of the braces. Petrie forged patients’ signatures to the delivery tickets to make it appear that patients had received the braces when they had not. The false paperwork was used by others to bill Medicare for approximately $38,000.
Petrie faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on January 11, 2016.
The investigation was conducted by Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Bacaj and Meredith George Thomas are handling the prosecution.
Huntington man sentenced to three and half years for role in Federal heroin conspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who participated in a heroin distribution scheme in 2013 was sentenced today to 40 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Domenico Chianesi II, 35, previously pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington in December of 2014 to conspiracy to distribute heroin.
From at least February of 2013 to August 21, 2013, Chianesi and others conspired to distribute heroin in the Huntington area. Chianesi permitted others to transport heroin from Detroit, Michigan to his residence located at 208 8th Avenue in Huntington where the heroin was stored and prepared for distribution. Chianesi also sold heroin at the direction of others and transferred drug proceeds to the organization leaders by using various financial services companies. On August 21, 2013, agents executed a search warrant at Chianesi’s residence where they seized over 130 grams of heroin and over $10,000 in cash.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Detroit man sentenced to 57 months in Federal prison for role in heroin conspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who participated in a heroin conspiracy that funneled multiple kilograms of heroin into the Huntington area in 2012 and 2013 was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison, announced U. S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Darius Jerome Perry, 32, previously pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington in February of 2015 to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
From the summer of 2012 to August of 2013, Perry conspired with other individuals to distribute heroin in the Huntington area. During the conspiracy, shipments of heroin were frequently made from Michigan to Huntington. Perry and other co-conspirators used multiple residences in Huntington to prepare, store and distribute heroin.
On August 21, 2013, agents executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of 8th Avenue in Huntington. During the search, agents seized over 130 grams of heroin and over $10,000 in cash. On August 22, 2013, agents executed a second search warrant at the same residence where they located and seized an additional $3,000 in cash concealed in a television. Perry admitted to selling heroin from the home and that the heroin seized from the agents was his.
Perry is the last defendant to be sentenced for his involvement in the conspiracy. Others previously sentenced include Christopher Jermaine Taylor of Detroit who received 138 months in federal prison, Bryant Donavan Taylor of Detroit who received 78 months in federal prison, Kenneth D. Bowden of Detroit who received 97 months in federal prison, Robert Lamar Payne of Detroit who received 87 months in federal prison, Derrick Wayne Goodwin of Detroit who received 74 months in federal prison, and Lakeisha Sherrell Williams of Detroit who received 37 months in federal prison.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Former mayor of Pratt pleads guilty to selling oxycodoneRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gary Fields, 68, the former mayor of Pratt, West Virginia, admitted to selling the powerful prescription painkiller oxycodone. Fields pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to distribution of oxycodone, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.
As part of the plea, Fields admitted that he sold six 15 mg oxycodone pills to a confidential informant on April 23, 2015. Fields is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2016.
The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sherriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is handling the prosecution.
The prosecution is part of an ongoing effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Former mayor of Pratt pleads guilty to selling oxycodoneRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gary Fields, 68, the former mayor of Pratt, West Virginia, admitted to selling the powerful prescription painkiller oxycodone. Fields pleaded guilty today in federal court in Charleston to distribution of oxycodone, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.
As part of the plea, Fields admitted that he sold six 15 mg oxycodone pills to a confidential informant on April 23, 2015. Fields is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2015.
The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sherriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn is handling the prosecution.
The prosecution is part of an ongoing effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Detroit heroin dealer pleads guilty in Federal courtRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who had heroin, oxycodone, and cash pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney, Booth Goodwin. Kendrick Leon Ward, 24 pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a college or university.
On November 8 and 11, 2013, drug task force officers used an informant to purchase approximately five grams of heroin from Ward in exchange for $1,125. Both drug deals occurred near Ward’s residence at Dawson Hall on the campus of West Virginia State University. On November 12, 2013, police executed a search warrant on Ward’s dorm room and seized 20 grams of heroin, 100 30mg oxycodone pills, 100 30mg tramadol pills, and $21,265.00 which included the money used in the undercover drug busy the day before. W
Ward faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine when sentenced on December 29, 2015.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Assistant United States Attorney, Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.
This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Former Fayette county teacher sentenced to 15 years in Federal prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Joshua Mark Taylor, 32, of Weirton, West Virginia was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to 15 years in federal prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release. Taylor will also be required to register as a sex offender. Taylor pled guilty in June of 2013, admitting that he received child pornography via his cell phone.
According to court documents and proceedings, Taylor was employed by the Fayette County Board of Education as a school teacher at Collins Middle School from approximately March of 2013 to January of 2014. Taylor admitted that in November of 2013, he exchanged a large volume of text messages with a 12-year-old female who was a student at Collins Middle School. Taylor also admitted that from about November to January of 2014, he persuaded the student to take photographs of her genital area and send them to him on his cell phone. Taylor admitted to distributing or attempting to distribute the sexually explicit images through interstate commerce. Finally, Taylor admitted to receiving a sexually explicit image of the student through interstate commerce.
The investigation was initiated by the West Virginia State Police in January of 2014, after the father of the student reported her missing. Taylor picked the minor up at her family home and returned her to her home uninjured after missing for nearly 22 hours. The investigation led to Taylor’s arrest the next day in St. Mary’s, West Virginia. Prior to being arrested, Taylor sent the minor a text message urging her not to cooperate with the investigation or prosecution.
Taylor also pled guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court to the felony offense of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in position of trust to a child and faces a sentence of not less 10 years and up to 20 years when he is sentenced on Monday, September 28.
United States Attorney Goodwin credited the West Virginia State Police and the other law enforcement agencies that worked so hard on the investigation. “The collaborative efforts of the West Virginia State Police, West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation should be commended. Their cooperation brought yet another child predator to justice, and made all of our children safer,” said Goodwin.
Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.
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Charleston man sentenced to five years in Federal prison for carrying a fireman during a drug crimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a Charleston man was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to five years in prison for carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. James Philip Daugherty, 20, previously entered a guilty plea to carrying a loaded Ruger semi-automatic pistol on January 9, 2015, while he possessed crack cocaine that he intended to distribute in and around Charleston, West Virginia.
The investigation was conducted by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald was in charge of the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking existing local programs targeting gun crime.
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Mercer County man pleads guilty to Federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
Bluefield, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a Bluefield man pled guilty in federal court in Bluefield today to a federal drug charge. Steven Andrew Short, 29, pled guilty to using a communication facility to facilitate a felony, admitting that on April 8, 2015, he used a telephone near Rock, West Virginia, to arrange a drug deal with a confidential informant. Shortly after the phone call, Short sold hydromorphone to the informant. Short admitted that he had sold more than 1800 hydromorphone pills over a period of time. He faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced on January 26, 2016
This case was investigated by the Southern Regional Violent Drug and Violent Crime Task Force under the Bluefield Pill Initiative, part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution.
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Charleston man sentenced in Federal Court for distributing heroinRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christopher E. Strick, 36, of Charleston, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Strick previously pled guilty in June of 2015 admitting that he had sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”) in January of 2012. The drug deal took place at Strick’s Edgewood Drive residence.
The case was investigated by MDENT. AUSA John Frail is responsible for the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of heroin and prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal heroin and pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers in communities across the Southern District.
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U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and other Federal, State and local officials to provide update on efforts to address opiate abuseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin, together with public health, treatment, prevention and law enforcement professionals, will provide an update on current strategies to address opiate abuse in southern West Virginia and the Kanawha Valley, in particular, and discuss next steps in turning back the tide of heroin addiction.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2015, 10:00am
WHERE: Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, 108 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV
WHO: Booth Goodwin, United States Attorney, SDWV
Brent Webster, Chief Charleston Police Department
Dr. Michael Brumage, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
Suzan Williamson, RAC Drug Enforcement Administration
Chuck Miller, Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney
Mike Rutherford, Chief Deputy Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department
Mark Strickland, Captain Charleston Fire Department
Dana Petroff, Prestera Center for Mental Health Services
Steve Burton, First Choice Health Systems
Kristi Justice, Kanawha Communities that Care
Kenny Burner, Appalachia HIDTA
Kim Walsh, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities
Two Mexican Nationals plead guilty to credit card fraudRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Marco Carrillo, 22, and Luis Vazquez, 24, both of Sonora, Mexico, plead guilty in federal court in Charleston today to conspiring to commit credit card fraud. During their plea hearings, Carrillo and Vazquez admitted that they traveled to Charleston, West Virginia from Mexico to pick up a package at Federal Express that contained 100 fraudulent credit cards. They admitted that they intended to use the fraudulent cards to buy electronic goods and gift cards. The package containing the fraudulent credit cards was intercepted by Federal Express and turned over to law enforcement agents prior to Carrillo and Vazquez picking it up. When Carrillo and Vazquez arrived at the Federal Express facility and picked up the package, they were arrested by agents from the United States Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Carrillo and Vazquez were stopped by law enforcement before they used any of the fraudulent credit cards.
Carrillo and Vazquez face up to 5 years of imprisonment when they are sentenced on December 21, 2015.
The United States Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations were in charge of the investigation. They were also assisted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Blaire L. Malkin is handling the prosecution.
Huntington woman sentenced to nine years in Federal prison for possession with intent to deliver heroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Jazzmyn Rochon Litzy, aka Zoe, 35, from Cabell County, West Virginia, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.
In December of 2014, a member of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) working in an undercover capacity, bought drugs twice from Litzy. Following these drug deals, DEA obtained a search warrant for Litzy’s Huntington home at 127 Oakland Avenue. During the search, agents found more than 70 grams of heroin, and several guns. Litzy was previously convicted of robbery in 2001, and drug trafficking and tampering with evidence in 2007. These felony convictions make it a federal crime for Litzy to possess any firearm.
Today’s sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers.
The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Huntington Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Huntington man sentenced in Federal court for distributing oxymorphone pillsRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who assisted in the distribution of prescription pills on multiple occasions in July 2014 was given five years of probation announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Eric Lawrence Silverstein, 39, previously pleaded guilty in federal court in Huntington January of 2015 to distributing oxymorphone before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
On July 25, 2014, Silverstein participated in a drug transaction with a confidential informant working at the direction of the Huntington Police Department. Silverstein drove the informant to the 1400 block of 4th Avenue in Huntington where he arranged for the informant to receive 10 oxymorphone pills in exchange for $600. Silverstein was paid $100 for setting up the drug deal. Silverstein also arranged the sale of 8 oxymorphone pills with an informant on July 28, 2014, in Huntington.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Detroit man sentenced to four years for role in Federal heroin conspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who assisted in the distribution of heroin in Huntington in 2013 and 2014 was sentenced today to four years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Ramone L. Wells, 20, previously pleaded guilty in June of 2015 to conspiracy to distribute heroin.
From February of 2013 to December 8, 2014, Wells assisted multiple co-conspirators in the sale of heroin transported from Detroit to Huntington. During the conspiracy, Wells supervised street level heroin dealers in Huntington and collected cash from drug sales. Wells also sold heroin he received from his co-conspirators.
Members of the conspiracy used multiple Huntington residences as locations where heroin was stored, prepared and distributed, including the residence located at 403 Homestead Place in Huntington. On December 6, 2014, a postal inspector with the United States Postal Service intercepted a package addressed for the residence containing approximately 230 grams of heroin. Agents delivered the package on December 8 and executed a search warrant at the residence after the package was accepted. During the search, agents seized heroin, drug paraphernalia, cash, and guns.
Multiple others have been convicted for their respective roles in the conspiracy including Paul A. Roberts, who pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence for the distribution of heroin in March 2015, Pricilla Lee Dylan, who pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence for the distribution of heroin in August 2015, Dustin S. Barton, who pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in August 2015, Kenneth E. Baxter, who pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in August 2015, Coty S. Richardson, who pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin in August 2015, and Sean L. Gist, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin earlier this month.
The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force, United States Postal Service, West Virginia State Police and Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Detroit man sentenced for Federal drug chargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man was sentenced today to six months in prison, followed by six months of home confinement for a federal drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Anthony Curtis Beckley II, 34, previously pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston to possessing oxycodone with the intent to distribute it. Beckley admitted that on October 7, 2013, he possessed over 200 oxycodone pills that he intended to sell.
The investigation was conducted by the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald was in charge of the prosecution.
This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Charleston man pleads guilty to Federal drug distribution chargeRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced today that Gregory Woods, 38, of Charleston, plead guilty in federal court in Charleston to using a cell phone to facilitate the distribution of cocaine and possession of marijuana for distribution.
During his hearing, Woods admitted that on June 8, 2011 he arranged to sell a confidential informant working with law enforcement an ounce of cocaine through telephone calls made on his cell phone. The confidential informant travelled to Woods’ residence in Charleston where he bought an ounce of cocaine. After the drug sale, officers executed a search warrant at Woods’ residence on Early Street and recovered 13.9 grams of cocaine, 176 grams of marijuana, and a gun. Woods admitted that he possessed the marijuana located in his house for distribution.
Woods faces up to nine years imprisonment when he is sentenced on January 4, 2016.
The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman.
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Trivillian's Pharmacy sentenced for federal healthcare and drug crimesRead the Press Release
Former Owner Paula Butterfield Sentenced to One Year and One Day in Federal Prison
Charleston, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Trivillian’s Pharmacy, a long-standing Kanawha City retail and compounding pharmacy, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston to three years of probation. Trivillian’s Pharmacy had previously entered guilty pleas on February 25, 2015, to healthcare fraud and misbranding drugs. Trivillian’s Pharmacy admitted it defrauded Medicare and Medicaid by dispensing compounded drugs while billing for more expensive brand name drugs, dispensing generic drugs while billing for more expensive brand name drugs, billing for drugs that were never dispensed and dispensing drugs that were compounded outside of a safe and clean environment. Trivillian’s Pharmacy also admitted to dispensing compounded drugs under labels and identification numbers associated with name brand drugs. As part of the plea, Trivillian’s Pharmacy agreed to make restitution to the Medicare and Medicaid programs in the amount of $355, 312.19**, and to forfeit an additional $355,312.19 of proceeds of the fraud schemes to the United States.
Paula J. Butterfield, the former owner and president of Trivillian’s Pharmacy was also sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Butterfield, who was insured by Medicare, previously pleaded guilty to causing Trivillian’s Pharmacy to bill Medicare for drugs that were never dispensed to her. Butterfield has agreed make restitution to Medicare in the amount of $5,106.90.
Goodwin’s office has also reached a civil settlement with Trivillian’s Pharmacy under the federal False Claims Act, through which the United States recovered an additional $1.1 million for Medicare and Medicaid. The settlement amount represents more than three times the losses suffered by these federal healthcare programs. Between Trivillian’s Pharmacy and Butterfield, a total of more than $1.4 million will be paid through the civil settlement, criminal restitution and asset forfeiture.
Goodwin said, “Pharmacists and pharmacies hold positions of trust in our communities. Patients trust them to provide the medicines they need and bill correctly for the medicines they dispense. The crimes committed in this case represent a substantial breach of that trust. Here, the pharmacist and the pharmacy she owned were held accountable for their crimes and the programs they stole from were made whole. This should send a message to others who would engage in such conduct.”
The investigation was conducted by the United States Health and Human Services, the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, and the West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Eumi Choi was in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney John Gianola is responsible for the civil settlement.
** The pharmacy gets credit towards restitution for this amount based on its payments to date under the civil settlement.
Three plead guilty in Charleston to federal heroin chargesRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. – Co-defendants Michael Richard, 30, Cassandra Washington, 24, both of Charleston, and James Harris, 23, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty today in federal court in Charleston to their individual roles in the sale of heroin from a home in in Elkview, West Virginia in April of 2014. Richard admitted that on April 10, 2014, he sold heroin to a confidential informant working with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) in exchange for $120.00.Washington and Harris admitted that when agents of the MDENT executed a search warrant at the Elkview residence a short time after the controlled buy, they were both inside the residence. After seizing additional amounts of heroin, digital scales and the money that law enforcement had used to make undercover buys, Harris admitted he transported the heroin from Detroit with another individual for sale from the Elkview residence by Richard and Washington. Washington also admitted that she intended to sell the heroin provided by Harris. All three face up to twenty years imprisonment and a $1,000,000.00 fine when sentenced on December 10, 2015.
The case was investigated by MDENT. AUSA John Frail is responsible for the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of heroin and prescription drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal heroin and pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
Former Marshall University football running back pleads guilty to cyberstalkingRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A 23-year old former Marshall University running back from Hollywood, Florida pleaded guilty today in federal court in Huntington to cyberstalking, announced United States Attorney Booth Goodwin. Kevin LaShawn Grooms, Jr. entered a guilty plea before Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers.
Grooms admitted to using a cell phone beginning on March 24, 2015, and continuing to the early hours of the next day to send threatening messages to his ex-girlfriend. Grooms sent the threatening messages via Instagram and text. Grooms’ conduct placed his ex-girlfriend in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury, and caused her to suffer substantial emotional distress. An investigation conducted by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation, revealed that Grooms sent 158 messages to his ex-girlfriend within 8 hours of being released from the Western Regional Jail on March 24, 2015. Grooms was under a Domestic Violence Protection Order at the time he sent the threatening messages. The messages sent by Grooms consisted of photographs and attached messages that mocked the strength of domestic restraining orders, threatened his ex-girlfriend, and claiming his no-fear readiness to die.
Grooms met his ex-girlfriend in September of 2012, when they were both enrolled at Marshall University. Grooms admitted to engaging in a pattern of activity including stalking, threatening the use of a deadly weapon, harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend throughout their relationship.
The court scheduled a sentencing hearing for Grooms on December 14, 2015. He faces a prison sentence of two years, followed by three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin stated, “We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who use modern technology to stalk, threaten, and harass. Technology is wonderful but we will not allow it to be used as a dangerous weapon.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Johnston handled the prosecution.