BRIDGEPORT, WEST VIRGINIA - The leaders of the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force announced the results of their collaborative efforts in 2014 and discussed what they hope to accomplish in 2015, including increased collaboration among law enforcement at all levels.
“Drug addiction has become an epidemic nationwide and is affecting the quality of life in our communities every day. We are extremely fortunate to have pro-active law enforcement officers who understand the problems and dangers that drugs bring to our communities," noted Bridgeport Police Chief John P. Walker. “It is important for the residents of our communities to know that together we can make a difference and we value their input. The officers serving on the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force are to be commended for the excellent work and success they accomplished in 2014. I am looking forward to their continuing success in the future."
Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force investigations led to 41 arrests in 2014 for a variety of offenses, including prescription pill trafficking (16), heroin (10), methamphetamine (5), bath salts (4), crack cocaine (3) marijuana (2), and fraudulent prescriptions (1).
As a result of Task Force investigations, 36 individuals were sentenced to nearly 130 years in prison in 2014. Noteworthy prosecutions in 2014 included:
• Justin Zachary Rosa, 20, and Nichole Nikki Pierce, 22, both of Clarksburg, West Virginia, were sentenced in March 2014 for heroin trafficking. Rosa was sentenced to 125 months in prison. Pierce was sentenced to 71 months in prison. They were each also ordered to forfeit their interest in $4,822.46 in U.S. currency.
• William Murphy, 25, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for utilizing a firearm in furtherance of oxycodone trafficking.
• Casey Searcy, 33, of Salem, West Virginia, was sentenced to 110 months in prison for selling oxycodone near the Clarksburg City Park - North View.
• Leroy Douglas Rousseau, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 84 months in prison for selling crack cocaine near the Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, West Virginia.
• Matthew Vanhorn, 28, and Megan Counts, 24 both of Stonewood, West Virginia, were convicted of selling heroin near the Stonewood City Park. Vanhorn was sentenced to 63 months in prison. Counts was sentenced to 46 months in prison.
• Amanda Lilly Daniels, 26, of Detroit, Michigan, and Jaunita Farnsworth, 31, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, were sentenced in November 2014 for their role in transporting prescription painkillers from Detroit, Michigan to Clarksburg, West Virginia for redistribution and sale. Daniels was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Farnsworth was sentenced to 37 months in prison. They were each also ordered to forfeit their interest in two firearms, nine rounds of ammunition, and $5,947.00 in U.S. currency.
• Dr. Edita Milan was convicted in December 2014 of operating a painkiller distribution ring from her Bridgeport, West Virginia medical practice. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 2015.
• Pharmacist Mario Blount, 51, of Bridgeport, West Virginia was convicted of prescription painkiller trafficking. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 2015.
• A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Reginald Maurice Teasley, Jr., 38, of Philadelphia, PA with heroin trafficking. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00.
"Area law enforcement and the Task Force have a responsibility to keep the community safe. This is our community, too," said Clarksburg Police Chief Robert L. Hilliard. “We take it personal when illegal activity threatens the safety and well-being of the citizens in this area. The cooperative effort of coming together and working together to rid our community of illegal drugs has proven successful over and over again".
The Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force is comprised of representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service-CI, the Clarksburg Police Department, and the Bridgeport Police Department.
Individuals with information on drug activity in the region are encouraged to call the Task Force hotline at 304-709-3784 or send an email message to ghcdtftipline@gmail.com. Regular updates on the work of the Task Force are available at harrisondrugtaskforce.com and via the official Twitter feed of the United States Attorney’s Office, @NDWVnews.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
