Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – Federal, state, and local officials announced today the arrests of 19 individuals on federal drug-trafficking, firearms, and other charges resulting from a months-long, multi-agency investigation.

"The modern opioid epidemic is one of the most vexing problems faced by law enforcement and public-health officials,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today.  “As U.S. Attorney, I am committed to prosecuting individuals and organizations who distribute Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine and working with our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners to stanch the flow of these deadly drugs into Western Virginia.  But while I firmly believe that vigorous enforcement is critical to addressing this epidemic, we also support meaningful treatment initiatives for those suffering from drug addictions and targeted outreach to prevent others from having their lives destroyed by these deadly substances.”   

“ATF is committed to ridding American streets of crime, not just in large cities but also in the rural areas that are often hit hardest by the scourge of illegal firearms and drugs. This investigation is a great example of how we work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations and protect the communities they infest. It should serve as a reminder to others that no matter where you are, if you commit a federal crime, we will do everything we can to put you behind bars,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas L. Chittum III, ATF Washington Field Division.

The indictment, returned under seal by a federal grand jury December 4, 2018 and unsealed yesterday, charges 18 defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that certain members of the conspiracy trafficked more than 1,000 grams of heroin and more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from approximately January 2016 and ending in approximately December 2018.

One defendant, Brandon Wayne Eppard, is charged with maintaining a property for the purpose of unlawfully distributing a controlled substance. That property was located at 160 Shenandoah Street in Mount Jackson, Virginia.

An additional defendant, Merle Stephens, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stephens was arrested at a Motel 6 in Mount Jackson, Virginia on December 7, 2018.

The indictment also charges four individuals, Michael Mullins, Jeffrey Craig Mays, William Ray Shoemaker, and Christopher Thomas Trimble, with firearms possession charges in addition to their drug charges.

Charged in the indictment are as follows:

Anthony Benjamin Testerman, 25, of Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

William Ray Shoemaker, 45, of Edinburg, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, three counts of distributing and possession with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  

Jeffrey Craig Mays, 32, of Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. 

Katie L. Harlow, 37, Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Javon Eugene Cook, 26, of Mount Jackson, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Brooke McIntosh, 27, Timberville, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine

Jonathan Lewis Hodges, 30, of New Market, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.

Kenneth J. Webb, 32, of Woodstock, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and three counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.

Amanda Jean Mullins, 30, of Edinburg, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.

Michael Mullins, 32, - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Dietrich M. Day, 28, of Dumfries, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Christian Michael Burhop, 27, of Basye, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of heroin, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.  

Christopher Thomas Trimble, 27, of Fishersville, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Brandon Wayne Eppard, 28, of Mount Jackson, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of unlawfully distributing, possessing, and using controlled substances.

Tiffany Bowman Lopez, 30, Quicksburg, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin and four counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Erica Lam, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

Justin Tyler Mumaw, 26, of Edinburg, Va., - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Dana Marie Silvious, 29, Front Royal, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin.

 

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, the RUSH Drug Task Force, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, the Mount Jackson Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Front Royal Police Department, the Timberville Police Department, and the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman will prosecute the case for the United States.

A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.