FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

 

Twenty-eight people have been named in two indictments handed down by a federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg on August 29, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

 

The first indictment was handed down alleging that a group of individuals from West Virginia conspired with one another to steal a large amount of firearms, sell those firearms, and barter those firearms for drugs in Upshur County, West Virginia and elsewhere from October 2016 to August 2017.

 

Those named in the 20-count firearms indictment are:

 

·         Michael Lynn Lough, 32, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Timothy Glen Woods, 28, French Creek, West Virginia

·         Lisa Kay Knight, 24, Upshur, West Virginia

·         Dustin Cain Anderson, 23, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Benjamin Tyler Nazelrod, 26, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Reggie Joe McLain, aka “McLain,” 37, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Aaron Matthew McLain, 36, Volga, West Virginia

·         Carla Denise Jones, 55, Volga, West Virginia

·         Bobby Ray Johnson, Jr., 27, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Roger Lee Clem, II, aka “Woody,” 30, Weston, West Virginia

·         Kimberly A. Warner, aka “Kimmie,” 26, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Danielle Paige Tanner, 22, Glen Allen, Virginia

 

The second indictment was handed down, alleging another group of individuals from West Virginia conspired with one another to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County from March 2016 to August 2017.

 

Those named in the 50-count methamphetamine distribution indictment are:

 

·         Amanda Me Bachman, aka “AB,” 33, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Rocky Douglas Idleman,, 38, Clarksburg, West Virginia

·         Thunderbolt Dean Whaley, 40, French Creek, West Virginia

·         Cassandra Tahj Riffle, aka “Cassie Hickman,” 31, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Melissa Ann Masuga, 33, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Elizabeth Ellen Golden, aka “Liz,” 42, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Steven Larry Harper, aka “Skip,” 39, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Reggie Joe McLain, 37, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Brett Allen Reed, 23, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Jerry Lee Stewart, Jr., 27, Weston, West Virginia

·         Angela Dawn White, 46, Buckhannon, West Virginia

·         Clarrisa Michelle Adkins, 24, Wallace, West Virginia

·         Michael Lewis Woodyard, 26, Clarksburg, West Virginia

·         Crystal Michelle Haggarty, 34, Bridgeport, West Virginia

·         Cassie Chase Poland, 18, Fairmont, West Virginia

·         Casey Jo Richards, 28, Bridgeport, West Virginia

·         Austin Jay Robinson, 18, Belington, West Virginia

 

“This case is one more example of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies collaborate and work together to rid our communities of illegally-obtained weapons and drugs.  We will continue these efforts to prosecute those who continue to plague our state with methamphetamines and other harmful illegal substances,” said Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, Acting U.S. Attorney.  

“Today’s round-up is the result of a comprehensive investigation of a regionally significant armed drug trafficking organization based in Upshur County, West Virginia, that not only distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, but also endangered the public through the illegal acquisition, use and transfer of firearms as part of their criminal activity.  This case is an outstanding example of the success law enforcement can have when agencies work together to protect the public we serve,” said Stuart L. Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division (KY/WV).              

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department are investigating. 

 

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