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Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-11-2013
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA — A 33 year old Bridgeport, Ohio, resident was arrested today pursuant to an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury.
According to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, MICHAEL RUNYON was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” The Indictment alleges that from January of 2013 to May of 2013, RUNYON knowingly failed to update a registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Notification Act. If convicted, RUNYON faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri and was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
All of the charges contained in the above-referenced indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-11-2013
WHEELING, WV – Four Wheeling residents have been charged in a twenty-two count indictment with the trafficking of heroin and cocaine in the Wheeling area.
According to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld, II, the following individuals have been charged in federal court with “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base and Heroin” from November of 2012 to January of 2013: Deon Young, age 29; Megan Brak, age 26; Solomon Sims, age 56; and Carlos Moore a/k/a “Los”, age 27.
Young faces a total of twenty-one counts, Sims faces three counts, and Brak and Moore face two counts each. In addition to the conspiracy charge, other charges include the distribution of cocaine and heroin, the distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of the Bridge Park Playground, the maintaining of a drug-involved premise, and the use of a telephone to aid in the distribution of cocaine and heroin.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking to forfeit a home located at 319 North Huron Street because the home is believed to have been used to facilitate the commission of drug trafficking.
Each defendant faces up to twenty years in prison on the conspiracy, distribution, and maintaining a drug-involved premise charges, up to forty years in prison on the sales that occurred near the playground, and up to four years in prison on the telephone counts.
This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard.
The investigation was conducted by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which is comprised of officers and agents from the West Virginia State Police-BCI, the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
All of the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-11-2013
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that the following individuals recently appeared in Federal Court in Clarksburg.
THOMAS RANDALL, age 41, of Montana Mines, West Virginia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by one year of supervised release pursuant to an earlier entered plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” RANDALL was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
JEREMIA J. PHILLIPS, age 30, of and DERRICK L. CALIP, age 40, of Clarksburg were sentenced to 21 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release, with credit for time served since April 18, 2012, pursuant to their earlier entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Substances and Schedule I Controlled Substance Analogues, referred to as ‘bath salts’ from September 7, 2011, to April 17, 2012, in Harrison County. PHILLIPS and CALIP were remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and investigated by the Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Three Rivers Drug Task Force and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.
Press Release - Booth Goodwin, United States Attorney Southern District of West Virginia 06-10-2013
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A 34-year-old Michigan pedophile was sentenced today to 12 years in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Ashlee C. Liebert, of Whitmore Lake, Mich., previously pleaded guilty in October 2012. Beginning in November 2011 through March 2012, Liebert established a relationship with a twelve-year-old minor residing in Putnam County, West Virginia. During that five-month period, Liebert communicated with the minor using e-mail and a cell phone. The defendant had numerous conversations with the minor that were sexual in nature and also exchanged sexually explicit photos with the child.
U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Pedophiles like Mr. Liebert who target kids and steal their innocence are downright sickening.” Goodwin continued, “This kind of crime is infuriating. I will continue to spare no effort to make sure that criminals who exploit children are brought to justice.”
On March 10, 2012, Liebert traveled from Michigan to Putnam County, W.Va. to meet the minor. At the time Liebert traveled from Michigan to Putnam County, he communicated with the minor using his cell phone and told the child that he wanted to have sex. After arriving in Putnam County, Liebert picked the minor up and drove to a location near Cross Creek Road, in Buffalo, W.Va., and had illegal sexual contact with the minor. Law enforcement officers from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department discovered Liebert and the minor inside his parked vehicle near Cross Creek Road, in Buffalo. Law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Liebert’s vehicle.
A Michigan state search warrant was executed on Liebert’s Whitmore Lake residence on March 10, 2012, the same day the defendant was arrested by police in West Virginia. During the execution of the search warrant, officers seized several computers from Liebert’s residence. A forensic review of Liebert’s computers revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography. Liebert previously downloaded the images and videos of child pornography using the Internet.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the Northfield Michigan Township Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Johnston handled the prosecution. Today’s sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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. Since January 2012, twenty-two defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 108 years (1297 months, to be exact) in federal prison.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-10-2013
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - Three individuals recently entered pleas of guilty to methamphetamine charges and one individual entered a plea of guilty to failure to update sex offender registration in United States District Court in Elkins.
According to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, the following individuals appeared before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.
SCOTT ALLEN GREENWALT, age 40, of Moorefield, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Attempting to Manufacture Methamphetamine” and his co-defendant, MICHELLE LEE STOCKING, age 23, of Moorefield, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of Materials Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on September 4, 2012, in Hardy County. GREENWALT, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. STOCKING, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Moorefield Police Department. The task force consists of officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
ALAN LEE STANLEY, age 33, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Possession of Pseudoephedrine to be Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine” on October 25, 2012. STANLEY, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Buckhannon Police Department.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner.
KYLE HEFT, age 35, of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty to “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” HEFT knowingly failed to update a registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Notification Act. HEFT, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-10-2013
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Six former inmates at the United States Penitentiary at Hazelton, West Virginia, were sentenced in United States District Court in Clarksburg by Judge Irene M. Keeley.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that:
ANTHONY YOUNG, age 35 and CARLTON ROBINSON, age 35, were each sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; LEO HACKETT, age 36, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment; ANTOINE GILES, age 32 and DASHEAN BRADLEY, age 36, were sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; and, DEMETRIUS PALMER, age 31, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment
YOUNG, ROBINSON, HACKETT, BRADLEY and PALMER entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Commit an Assault on Another Inmate.” YOUNG, ROBINSON and BRADLEY, as well as GILES entered pleas of guilty to “Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.” YOUNG and HACKETT also entered pleas of guilty to “Providing a False Statement.”
On October 14, 2006, YOUNG, ROBINSON, HACKETT, GILES, BRADLEY and PALMER attacked another inmate at USP Hazelton. YOUNG assaulted the victim and held him as GILES and BRADLEY stabbed him multiple times. The victim died from his wounds.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services Unit at USP Hazleton.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-10-2013
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that the following individuals recently appeared in Federal Court in Clarksburg.
RAYMOND RITCH a/k/a “RAY” was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to be followed by six years of supervised release. RITCH entered a plea of guilty on January 29, 2013, to the distribution charge. RITCH was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan and investigated by the HarrisonCounty Drug and Violent Crime Task Force consisting of officers from the Clarksburg Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Bridgeport Police Department.
the Bridgeport Police Department; Clarksburg Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service; and, the United States Marshals Service.
ALLEN GARROD, age 55, an inmate at USP Hazelton, entered a plea of guilty to “Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm” on December 9, 2012, when GARROD assaulted another inmate with a prison-make knife. GARROD was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment to be served consecutively with his current 132-month sentence. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the Special Investigative Services Staff at USP Hazelton.
FRANKLIN MCVAY, age 27, of Morgantown, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” MCVAY, who was previously convicted in the Circuit Court of Marion County, West Virginia, on the felony charge of unlawful assault was prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, on January 19, 2013, MCVAY discharged multiple rounds from a handgun he possessed into the ceiling at a club in Morgantown. MCVAY, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
DAVID SOKOLOWSKI, age 42, of Pt. Marion, Pennsylvania, entered pleas of guilty to “Assault of a VA Police Officer” and “Disorder Conduct.” On February 15, 2013, SOKOLOWSKI went to the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg for treatment where he became disruptive while using a phone in the ER. When VA police officers arrived, he verbally threatened to kill them, hit one of the officers and threatened to shoot people in the ER, including the officers. SOKOLOWSKI, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 1 year imprisonment and a $300,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and was investigated by the Veterans Administration Police.
RONALD CLEVENGER, age 70, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Embezzlement.” Between October of 1999 and September of 2010, CLEVENGER embezzled and converted Social Security supplemental income payments and Department of Labor Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation benefits in the amount of $115,150, which had been paid to his deceased mother. CLEVENGER, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and was investigated by the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-06-2013
WHEELING, WV – Ten people have been indicted by a federal grand jury for the trafficking of pain pills and crack cocaine in Moundsville, Benwood, and Wheeling.
According to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld, II, two separate indictments were returned on Tuesday with a total of 20 counts related to the distribution of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and crack cocaine in Marshall County and Ohio County. The investigations that led to the indictments were conducted by the Marshall County Drug Task Force.
RICHARDSON INDICTMENT
The first indictment charges the following eight individuals with “Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone”from September of 2012 until the present time:
- Wilbur L. Richardson, Jr., age 46, of Martins Ferry, Ohio
- Andrew J. Richardson, age 26, of Moundsville, West Virginia
- Michael A. Hurst, age 26, of Moundsville, West Virginia
- Amanda K. Vanscyoc, age 31, of Moundsville, West Virginia
- Brooke Sturm, age 19, Moundsville, West Virginia
- Kristen A. Sturm, age 25, Moundsville, West Virginia
- Jennifer A. Thompson, age 25, Moundsville, West Virginia
- Tyler M. Young, age 20, Moundsville, West Virginia
In addition to the conspiracy charge, each person indicted also faces additional charges of distributing oxycodone or aiding and abetting the distribution of oxycodone. Each defendant faces up to twenty years in prison on the conspiracy and distribution charges, and up to forty years in prison on the sales that occurred near Moundsville Middle School.
BLACK/ROBERTSON INDICTMENT
The second indictment charges Montrell L. Black, also known as “Slim”, age 20, of Wheeling, and Daniel R. Robertson, age 28, of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in Marshall County and elsewhere. Black faces a total of five felony drug charges and Robertson faces a total of four felony drug charges. The conspiracy is alleged to have occurred in February and March of 2013.
Black and Robertson face up to twenty years in prison on the conspiracy and distribution charges, and Black faces up to forty years in prison on the charge of distributing crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a school. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
“These are the first of many operations that the public will see from the drug task force as it works to combat the drug problem in Marshall County,” said Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil. “The HIDTA funding that we were awarded last year has been very useful to us in covering the costs of the overtime that is necessary to conduct significant investigations.”
“It was an important step for our departments to come together in the task force to combat a common enemy which is the illegal use and sale of drugs,” said Chief Tom Mitchell of Moundsville. “I’m happy to be a part of this group and look forward to continuing to work with my partners in law enforcement.”
The Marshall County Drug Task Force includes officers and agents from the Moundsville Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randolph J. Bernard and Robert H. McWilliams, Jr.
Ihlenfeld stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
West Virginia State Police Press Release 06-05-2013
South Charleston, West Virginia – On Wednesday, June 5, 2013, Sergeant A. W. Scott, of the Crimes Against Children Unit, arrested Mr. Michael J. Waller (29 years of age, from Fairmont, West Virginia) on four felony counts of sexual abuse by a person of trust to a child. An investigation conducted by Sergeant Scott revealed that Mr. Waller, a Driver’s Education Teacher at East Fairmont High School, had been having a sexual relationship with a 17 year old female student at the school. Mr. Waller was arraigned in Marion County Magistrate Court and released on a $100,000.00 cash or surety bond.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-05-2013
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA —United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that:
SCOTT P. CORKRAN, JR., age 24, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, was named in a three-count Indictment charging him with “Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” “Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number,” and “Drug Abuser in Possession of a Firearm.” The Indictment also seeks the forfeiture of two firearms and ammunition. If convicted, CORKRAN faces up to 7 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Perri.
BRIAN BEHRENS, age 44, of Triadelphia, West Virginia, was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with “Felon in Possession of a Firearm” on November 20, 2012, in Ohio County. The Indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the Remington firearm. If convicted, BEHRENS faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Vogrin.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-05-2013
WHEELING, WV – A West Virginia man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly traveling across state lines to have sex with a minor whom he had met on the Internet, according to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.
MARK LORING DAWSON, age 51, of Charleston, West Virginia, is charged with driving to Sardis, Ohio and picking up a minor female, and then transporting her to a hotel in New Martinsville, West Virginia, and engaging in sexual activity with her on two separate occasions. These acts are alleged to have occurred between May of 2012 and April of 2013.
DAWSON faces two counts of “Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity” and two counts of “Traveling in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” If convicted, DAWSON faces up to life in prison on the transportation counts and up to thirty years in prison on the traveling counts. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
DAWSON, who is being held at the South Central Regional Jail, will appear in federal court today for an initial appearance.
The case will be prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Martinsville Police Department.
DAWSON is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Press Release - Office Of The United States Attorney Northern District Of West Virginia - William J. Ihlenfeld, II - United States Attorney 06-05-2013
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA —United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that:
TONISHA WOODS, age 34, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was named in a three-count Indictment charging her with the “Distribution of Morphine.” If convicted, WOODS faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine on each count. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the Three Rivers Task Force, consisting of officers from the Fairmont Police Department and the Fairmont State University Police Department.
All of the charges contained in the above-referenced indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
