MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Amy Little, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years probation for her role in a heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

 

Little, also known as “Amy Jackson,” age 45, pled guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication facility” in May 2019. Little admitted to using a phone to arrange a purchase of heroin in September 2018 in Berkeley County. 

These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Devale Montray Jackson, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jackson, age 58, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Jackson admitted to using a phone to arrange a heroin sale in Berkeley County in December 2018.

Jackson is facing up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bruce Scott Nicholson, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years probation for his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Nicholson, age 53, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Travel Act - Promotion” in September 2019. Nicholson admitted to working with another to travel from West Virginia to Pennsylvania to obtain drugs to then distribute those drugs in West Virginia. The crime occurred in October 2018.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Shavar Payton, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Payton, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.” Payton admitted to distributing 28 grams or more of cocaine base in Berkeley County in January 2019.

Payton faces at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shavon Craig, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Craig, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in September 2019. Craig admitted to distributing cocaine base in Berkeley County in December 2018.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Jones, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jones, also known as “Moosa,” age 42, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Jones admitted to using a phone to arrange a heroin purchase in December 2018 in Berkeley County.

Jones is facing up to four years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Wayne Harrison, II, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to four months’ probation for distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Harrison, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin” in July 2019. Harrison admitted to selling heroin in Berkeley County in July 2018.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shavon Craig, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Craig, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.” Craig admitted to distributing cocaine base in Berkeley County in December 2018.

Craig is facing up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brianna Katherine Murray, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was sentenced to three years probation for aiding in the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

 

Murray, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Travel Act – Promotion” in June 2019. Murray admitted to working with another to travel from West Virginia to Maryland to obtain heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine for distribution in West Virginia. The crime occurred in September 2018 in Berkeley County and elsewhere.

This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandy Netz, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Netz, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride.” Netz admitted to working with someone to distribute cocaine in Berkeley County in January 2019.

Netz is facing up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Courtney Guess, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Guess, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Guess admitted to selling heroin in Berkeley County in May 2018.

Guess is facing up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Wayne Harrison, II, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing heroin, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Harrison, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Harrison admitted to selling heroin in Berkeley County in July 2018.

Harrison is facing up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Amy Little, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

 

Little, also known as “Amy Jackson,” age 45, pled guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication facility.” Little admitted to using a phone to arrange a purchase of heroin in September 2018 in Berkeley County. 

Little faces up to four years incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua A. Miller, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in a heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Miller, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Hydrochloride, and Cocaine Base.” Miller admitted to working with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from May 2018 to Janaury 2019 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere.

Miller faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury this week has indicted 33 individuals in seven separate indictments involving heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

 

Agents seized 891 grams of different controlled substances, several firearms, ammunition, and more than $33,000 in cash during several raids and searches conducted in West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in January of 2019 that resulted in the indictments. Those indicted are:

Leroy Raymond Griffin, 38, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gregory Ian Polk, Jr., 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jason Lamonte Bryant, 41, of Hagerstown, Maryland

Tyquil Desmont Griffin, 19, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Courtney Guess, 23, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Jessica Nicholson, also known as “J,” age 23, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Anthony Wayne Harrison, II, also known as “Ant,” 29, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Bruce Scott Nicholson, age 52, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Michael Shavar Payton, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Brandy Renae Netz, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Shavon Craig, 34, of Kearneysville, West Virginia

Devale Montray Jackson, also known as “Devale McNickle,” 58, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Anthony Jones, also known as “Moose,” 42, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Amy Little, also known as “Amy Jackson,” 44, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Joshua A. Miller, age 28, of  Martinsburg, West Virginia

Brianne Katherine Murray, 38, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

David Nathan Huntsberry, 39, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Levar Glenwood Crawford, 41, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Tywonne Crawford, 39, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Todd Jason Erwin, 42, of White Post, Virginia

Nicholas Wayne Deminds, 30, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

Shannon Keiffer, 33, of Martinsburg, West Virginia

James Lamont Brinkley, 32, of Baltimore, Maryland

Sven Artez Alston, 31, of Baltimore, Maryland

Armstead William Craig, also known as “Manny” and “Manny Moo,” 39, of Ranson, WV

Sandra Aramburo, 37, of Ranson, West Virginia

Jansen V. Carr, 34, of Ranson, West Virginia

Victor Lamont Carr, 59, of Ranson, West Virginia

Allen Craig, 56, of Ranson, West Virginia

Wayne Samuel Ellis Clyburn, 50, of Ranson, West Virginia

Molly L. Huber, 30, of Ranson, West Virginia

Hopeton Lee Newman, Jr., 31, of Inwood, West Virginia

Shawn Kendall Murray, 36, of Loudon County, Virginia

 

“Our resolve is strong.  We will not tolerate those who bring death and violence into our communities.  Our law enforcement and prosecution teams are highly skilled and supremely dedicated to our mission.  Hopefully, those involved in criminal conduct will learn that the potential consequences are not worth the perceived and false reward of their conduct,” said Powell.

"For far too long the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia has been plagued by drugs and violence," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones, FBI.  "The arrests highlight the collaborative work of all our law enforcement partners and our continuing commitment to use every resource to protect our citizens and get these dangerous and illegal drugs off the streets."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated. The United States Marshals assisted in the arrests.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.