All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

U.S. attorney announces 33 indictments in Eastern Panhandle on drug crimes

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – 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.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.

Ketha Pearl Simmons

Ketha Pearl Simmons, 83, of French Creek, died at home on June 30, 2025, is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and will be remembered at a Frenchton Community Church service.
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council to meet July 8

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the center, focusing on career and technical education programs.

Man faces new charge related to stolen UTV from Barbour County

Travis Medina, 41, of Buckhannon, faces a new charge of receiving or transferring stolen goods after authorities found a UTV reportedly stolen from Barbour County.

River Fest returns in August with free food, live music and paddling for the whole community

River Fest will return August 23 with free food, live music, beginner kayaking, and community activities for all ages, aiming to attract 200 attendees and celebrate the Buckhannon River in memory of its founder, April Keating.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: June 30 – July 4, 2025

Buckhannon has announced upcoming public meetings, July 4th holiday closures, a community celebration and fireworks, yard waste collection dates, and information on utility payments and city service requests available online.