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.

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