William Glover Jerri Lucente Kevin Glover, 60 of Clarksburg, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CHARLESTON, W.Va. It was a long day, but a fulfilling one for local and federal law enforcement, who made a significant seizure of drugs Wednesday. Note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Published: Mar. All rights reserved. A major drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the largest seizure of methamphetamine in West Virginia state history, according to the United . MARTINSBURG, W.Va. At least 52 people in the Eastern Panhandle, including the alleged kingpin, have been charged in connection with a heroin-trafficking ring that extended into . Nominate someone to the Friends of WVPB Board of Directors. The Department of Justice announced Wednesday it made the largest methamphetamine bust in West Virginia history. Red, 31, of Detroit, Michigan; Darmatrice Love, 32, of Detroit, Michigan; Robert Brown, Jr., a.k.a. On July 13, members of the Mon Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at an apartment on Van Voorhis Road in Morgantown to locate evidence to support an investigation," according to a criminal complaint. 12, 2021 at 6:01 PM EST . . Denise Marie Cottrell, 63, of Charleston, West Virginia. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. The investigation went on for many months, but law enforcement were able to track down many of those involved after receiving many tips. A major drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the largest seizure of methamphetamine in West Virginia state history, according to the United States Department of Justice. 22, 2023 at 12:59 PM PDT. Brittany Frances Gilbert, 33 of Charleston, West Virginia. A Huntington man, 31-year-old James Pace, nicknamed "Little Stink," was arrested on a federal [] The indictment also charges various drug and gun crimes carried out in connection with the DTO. A federal grand jury has returned three indictments charging 30 individuals for their roles in the drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in Charleston. The FBI says there are also five people that are facing state charges. This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison. Thompson said that a federal grand jury returned three indictments charging 30 people for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that dealt large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in the Charleston area. There is no new date for a public hearing as of Monday. Johnston says important to note that five of the 16 defendants in the indictments have previously been convicted in various felony offenses, including malicious wounding, first-degree robbery, voluntary manslaughter, unlawful wounding, and various drug offenses. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Several of those charged remain incarcerated, including McGhee, Kirk, Martin, Dominguez, Griffin, Shaw, and Wells. Interim state police superintendent tells lawmakers changes wont come overnight. FAIRMONT With some four-legged help . Do Not Sell My Personal Information 14 of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and the indictment attributes 500 grams or more of meth to Jeffries, Davis, McCauly, Robert, and Snead. Call 1-855-WVA-FEDS or Email wvafeds@usdoj.gov if you have information about public corruption in your community. Deputies with the Raleigh County Sheriff's Department, Beckley Police Officers, and West Virginia State troopers come together to form the Beckley-Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. We got every law enforcement agency in the state of West Virginia, Hunt said. The FBI says they expect to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Copyright 2023 TheAssociated Press. Big Flea, 45, of Detroit, Michigan; Michael James Anthony, a.k.a. Brian Dangelo Terry, 36 of Charleston, West Virginia. Fairmont K-9 unit, Spur, poses with some of the drugs he helped take off the streets. Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin took some time out of her day Monday to wish Jennifer Garner a happy 51st birthday. The potential penalties will vary for each defendant and depend upon the quantity of drugs attributed to each and their criminal history, if any. Larry Wayne Legg pleaded guilty on March 6, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The operation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. West Virginia has a rich musical history, and in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Morgantown-based band The Argument was a proud part of that tradition. Feds Announce Major Drug Bust, Arrests in West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A federal drug trafficking investigation in West Virginia has resulted in charges against 54 people and. What officials are calling the largest mass arrest of drug offenders in West Virginia history occurred Thursday when 100 people were . MARTINSBURG, W.Va. Police Chief George Swartwood is proud of the men and women of his force . Become a member with your gift of $1,000 or more. But, New West Virginia health information shows drug overdose deaths have increased to more than 1,000 in a one-year period for the first time.The Charleston, State health data shows West Virginia has seen a record number of fatal overdoses from methamphetamine this year, increasing by 500 percent since 2014.The, Copyright 2023 West Virginia Public Broadcasting, All Rights Reserved, Feds Announce Major Drug Bust, Arrests In West Virginia, Local Band Returns To Music After Almost Two Decades, Largest ever drug bust in state of West Virginia, Feds To Let States Tap Opioid Funds For Meth, Cocaine Surge, West Virginia Drug Overdoses Top 1,000 in 2017, West Virginia Has Record Fatal Meth Overdoses in 2017. Eleven parcels of real estate, five handguns, and three pieces of jewelry are also subject to forfeiture, along with the aforementioned U.S. currency. Simultaneous with McGhees apprehension, arrests and searches occurred at the airport in Pittsburgh, and at homes and businesses in West Virginia and Ohio. Beckley, WV25801, 845 Fifth Avenue Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ). "Operation Smoke and Mirrors," an eight-month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meth killed over 32,000 Americans in 2021. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Justin Allen Bowen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on February 23, 2023. 2:23-cr-31 (Jeffries et al. U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said law enforcement also seized lesser amounts of cocaine and fentanyl along with 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash. Local and federal authorities also said they recovered 18 firearms and several hundred thousand dollars. According to Huntington Police, Members of the Huntington Violent Crime Drug Task Force, Huntington Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, and HPD SWAT Team seized four firearms and suspected heroin, crack . 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The drug epidemic in this state knows no socioeconomic or geographic boundaries and continues to affect West Virginians from all walks of life. Thompson called it the largest seizure of methamphetamine ever in West Virginia. Two are from Detroit and one is from Waynesboro, Virginia. Black, a.k.a. Each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. Another 24 individuals are charged in state criminal complaints. The takedown of this drug trafficking organization stopped a record amount of methamphetamine, as well as other dangerous drugs, from reaching our communities and causing harm, United State Attorney Thompson said. The Belmont County (OH) Sheriffs Office and the Belmont County Prosecutors Office provided important assistance. Its extremely addictive, its very hard on both the brain and body, said Thompson. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A federal drug trafficking investigation in West Virginia has resulted in charges against 54 people and the seizure of more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine, authorities said Wednesday. The remaining defendants are scheduled for trial on April 25, 2023. The indictment charges 12 of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County from March 2019 to September 2021. During the nearly 18-month-long investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 10 pounds of meth, 40 firearms, more than $80,000 cash, and several vehicles. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A months-long investigation lead to a large drug bust and weapons roundup in Raleigh County. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Douglas Johnathan Wesley, 32, of Charleston, West Virginia. Thousand-ton rockslide cleared in Boone County, Charleston Mayor wishes Jennifer Garner a Happy Birthday, presents her with a key to the city, WSAZ Investigates | Lawmakers Question WVSP Spending. ), 2:23-cr-33 (Estep et al. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. 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In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement personnel are shown on the scene of a large methamphetamine bust in Charleston, W.V., on March 22, 2023. A locked padlock For anyone looking to fill the void left by those arrested, I want you to know we are not going anywhere, and the FBI and our law enforcement partners are here to find, arrest and bring to justice those who terrorize our community with violence and drugs., UPDATE (11:25 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22): US Attorney Will Thompsons office plans to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon during which they say they will announce the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history.. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia Will Thompson said 30 federal indictments were returned after an 8-month long investigation into a historic drug bust in the state. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The following people were also charged in Tuesdays conspiracy indictment: Others involved in the McGhee network who were charged federally prior to this week include: Motor vehicles used in furtherance of the conspiracy have been seized and will be subject to forfeiture, to include a GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Tahoe, a Polaris Slingshot, a Mercedes G-Class 450, a Bentley Continental, a BMW 535, a Cadillac XTS, a Chevrolet Cruze, a Buick Lacrosse, a Nissan Sentra, a Freightliner motor home, and an Acura. May 15, 2021 - 5:00 pm. Charged in a separate, one-count federal indictment are: Alexandria Jasmine Estep, 21, and Robert Dewayne Miller, 35, both of Charleston; and Perry Johnson, Jr., 29, and Dashounieque Lashay Wright, 26, both of Detroit, Michigan. The nomination period for the Friends of WVPB Board of Directors is open until 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2023. 2023 The Associated Press. "This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison," Thompson said. WV 25701 (304) 697-4780; Public Inspection File. That's according to a news release from Acting United State Attorney Lisa Johnston. The arrests today dismantled a drug trafficking network that has wreaked havoc in the Charleston area for far too long. Rico McGhee was the most notorious drug dealer in the region and Juan Magana was his primary supplier, said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. A large amount of illegal and dangerous drugs were stopped from going into our local neighborhood during the course of this investigation. C. 26, 2020 they have charged 12 people with dealing methamphetamine, . The rest of the defendants will stand trial on April 25, 2023. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. 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