Surrounded by law enforcement agencies knee-deep in the ongoing battle with methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs, United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia Bill Powell broke down the federal portion of Thursday’s massive drug raid that was focused primarily in Harrison County.

 

A total of 33 individuals were charged in methamphetamine operations in Harrison County as part of the federal investigation that were listed in unsealed indictments Thursday. More than a dozen other individuals were brought up on state charges and brought to Harrison County Magistrate court for arraignment. Marion and Monongalia County were targeted as part of the operation as well.

 

“Individuals from West Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, and Maryland were indicted in those two separate indictments that total 67 counts,” said Powell on the federal portion of the operation during a press conference in City Council Chambers at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex today.

 

The indictments were related to meth distribution, distribution of heroin, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug offense, s during drug trafficking, maintaining a drug involved premises, distribution of meth within 1000 feet of a protected location (Washington Irving Middle School, Veteran's Administration Park, and Summit Park Playground) and other related charges.

 

One of the individuals included in the 33 indicted was from Bridgeport. Taylor Espinoza, 21, was charged on four counts. One of the counts involved possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and another was the same except the drug was heroin. She also was indicted on a charge of use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug offense, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

 

While the names were released of those charged in the indictments, today the ages and addresses were provided. In the first 40 count indictment, those indicted with Espinoza include Kedric Pearson, age 34, of Waynesboro, Mississippi; Paul Casto, age 55, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Stormy Hawkins, age 25, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; William Koch, age 33, of Anmore, West Virginia; Jacob Wright, age 36, of West Union, West Virginia; Donald Hickman, Jr., age 43, of Reynoldsville, West Virginia; Cody Boley, age 24, of Wallace, West Virginia; Byron Higginbotham, age 36, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Jodi Denkenberger, age 28, of Mount Claire, West Virginia; Erica Herron, age 37, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; David Weaver, age 33, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Stephen Richards, age 40, of Fairmont, West Virginia; Solomon Cottrill, age 32, of Salem, West Virginia; Nathan Crites, age 34, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Russell Clark, age 64, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Faith Martin, age 20, of Shinnston, West Virginia; Jesse Pack, age 23, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Justin Jackson, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland.

 

In another case, the federal grand jury returned a 27-count indictment against 14 others. Those individuals include Juwan Floyd, age 26, of Tallahassee, Florida; Kareem Sampson, age 29, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Ramiro Pimentel Jr., age 31, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Kelly Wright, age 36, of West Union, West Virginia; Teressa Hall, age 33, of Bristol, West Virginia; Nicholle Knotts, age 24, of Philippi, West Virginia; Chance Ward, age 19, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Ashley Wagner, age 27, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Brittany Miles, age 28, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Brandon Mays, age 30, of Fairmont, West Virginia; Joshua Langbien, age 28, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Ann Marie Stankus, age 24, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Rodney Rowan, age 23, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; and Chris Conley, age 35, of Clarksburg, West Virginia

 

The government is also seeking forfeiture of four vehicles, a house on Winding Way in Clarksburg, and more than $33,000 seized as a part of the investigation. Law enforcement also seized 15 firearms. Another house was also seized, but the location was not immediately available.

 

Of the 33 defendants, 25 were detained. Those still wanted are: Donald Hickman, Faith Martin, William Koch, Erica Herron, Ashley Wagner, Russel Clark, Jesse Pack, Nichole Knotts and Kendric Pearson. If you have information on any of these individuals, contact the United States Marshals office or 911. They are being sought in West Virginia and other states.

 

The Exponent Telegram had a list of those arrested on state charges including 34-year-old Joseph Dale Bennett of Bridgeport on delivery of heroin; and Joey Alex Moore, 26, on possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. You can see the entire list of other local arrests in today’s edition of The Exponent Telegram or online at wvnews.com. All told, more than 50 people were sought during the operation between the federal indictments and the state charges.

 

Walker said early this evening three individuals were still being sought on state charges. Those individuals are Mathew Peck, Leslie Dotson II, and Kerrie Skidmore. Call 911 if you know where these individuals are.

 

Powell said the drugs in question were from California, Mississippi and “other places.” He would not elaborate on those places or if they were being brought in by gangs. He did say gang involvement was a “possibility” in this situation.

 

“This is laboratory-made methamphetamine,” said Powell, who added after the press conference during separate interviews it was high grade.

 

Officials called the operation a success. Doing much of the lead work was the Harrison County Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force that is chaired by Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker.

 

The Task Force didn’t go it alone. They were joined by the West Virginia State Police, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Clarksburg Police Department, the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the DEA, and Child Protective Services.

 

“We’re extremely proud of the Task Force. This takes a lot of effort and dedication and you run into a lot of roadblocks during these criminal investigations and they don’t give up,” said Walker. “They continue to go after the people selling this poison to our communities.”

 

Powell said the opioid epidemic is still strong in the area, which was evident by Thursday’s action.

 

“We have seen a significant uptick in methamphetamine traffic in the district, particularly in North Central West Virginia and the Potomac Highlands. We’re seeing more of it in many places in the state,” said Powell.

 

ATF Residence Agent in Charge Dewayne Haddix pointed out that the majority of the defendants in the federal indictments that were unsealed aren’t new to law enforcement. The group had more than 260 prior arrests and 24 felony convictions.

 

“We’ve heard what (the community) has said and we appreciate the support,” said Haddix about the positive result agencies received from neighbors of those arrested Thursday. “We commend them for trying to take back their neighborhoods and encourage those people to keep calling. We are listening.”

 

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

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows U.S. Attorney Bill Powell fielding questions following today's press conference. Middle photo shows ATF's Dewayne Haddix addressing the gathering with Chief John Walker in the background. Bottom photo shows the agencies that were represented during the conference held at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.