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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Three people charged in connection with a Bridgeport, West Virginia, painkiller distribution ring have been convicted.
DAVID S. ROKISKY, age 46, of Tampa, Florida; his sister, Deborah M. TATE, age 56, of Tampa, and Nino L. MANCINO, age 43, of Fairmont, entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Possess and Distribute Hydrocodone" before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull. As part of a related investigation, a federal search warrant was executed at Ms. Tate’s Fairmont residence and agents found packages containing hydrocodone pills which had been obtained through prescriptions in Florida and sent to Tate and Mancino for them to resale.
ROKISKY, TATE and MANCINO each face up to 10 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr and investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of officers and agents from the Bridgeport Police Department, the Clarksburg Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the West Virginia State Police.
In other hearings before Judge Kaull:
JAUNITA FARNSWORTH, age 31, of Clarksburg and MARVIN PIERRE LEDBETTER, JR. a/k/a “MO," age 28; and AMANDA LILLY DANIELS, age 25, of Michigan, entered pleas of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone." FARNSWORTH, LEDBETTER and DANIELS each face up to 20 years in prison.
Co-defendant WILLIAM MURPHY, age 24, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Use and Carry of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug-Trafficking Offense." MURPHY possessed a Winchester shotgun in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. MURPHY faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. As part of the plea agreements, the defendants will forfeit firearms, ammunition and currency which was seized in December of 2013.
This case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan and investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
ANGELA NELSON, age 34, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location." NELSON faces up to 40 years in prison. Co-defendants FARRAH ECHARD, age 25, and GREG WILLIAMS, age 41, of Morgantown, entered pleas of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin." ECHARD and WILLIAMS face up to 20 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Wesley and investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
CHRISTOPHER VICKERS, age 24, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 feet of Monticello Avenue playground." VICKERS faces up to 40 years in prison.
DAMIAN ALLEN, age 27, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine and Heroin within 1,000 feet of the Harrison Street Playground." ALLEN faces up to 40 years in prison.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and investigated by the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
RONALD SNYDER, age 39, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration" and faces up to 10 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Morgan and investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police.
CHRISTY D. RUBLE, age 32, of West Milford, West Virginia, former officer in charge of the West Milford post office, entered a plea of guilty to “Embezzlement" of $15,238.65 from postal accounts. RUBLE faces up to 10 years in prison and must make restitution of the monies embezzled. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower and investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
JEREMY NATHAN FERRARO, age 33, entered a plea of guilty to “Theft of Mail" and faces up to five years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Stein and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
