Elkins Man Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

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Ten others appear for Pleas and Sentencings

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II
announced that the following individuals recently appeared in Federal Court in Clarksburg.

RICHARD MAURICE HADDIX, age 33, of Elkins, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Wire Fraud.” HADDIX was a broker for a transportation management firm and created 230 fictitious cash advances and caused $102,260 to be deposited into his personal bank account. As part of his plea agreement, HADDIX will make restitution in the amount of $102,260 to the victims of his crime. HADDIX, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and investigated by the Elkins Police Department.

BETH ALLEVATO a/k/a “ROXIE”, age 40, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment to be followed by six years of supervised release. ALLEVATO entered a plea of guilty on November 28, 2012, to “Distribution of Cocaine” on December 2, 2011, in Clarksburg. ALLEVATO was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. The case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Shawn A. Morgan and investigated by the Harrison County Drug Task Force consisting of officers from the Clarksburg Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Bridgeport Police Department.

ANTHONY CRIPPIN, age 29, of Morgantown, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Heroin within 1,000 Feet of WVU.” CRIPPIN, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces a term of at least 1 and up to 40 years imprisonment and a $2,000,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and investigated by the Mon Valley Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police. The task force consists of officers from Morgantown Police Department, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

JENNIFER KELLEY, age 28, of Morgantown, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Cocaine Hydrochloride.” KELLEY, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

WILLIAM TRENT RICHARDSON, age 21, of French Creek, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise” from February 2 to September 13,
2012, to manufacture, store, distribute and use methamphetamine. RICHARDSON, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and investigated by the West Virginia State Police.

JOHN THOMAS CHINNICI, age 27; VICTOR AVILES, age 32 and ALEX TEJADA, age 31, former inmates at FCI Gilmer entered pleas of guilty to “Assault.” On June 30, 2011, CHINNICI, AVILES and TEJADA assaulted another inmate by punching, kicking and stabbing him eight times with prison-made knives. CHINNICI, AVILES and TEJADA were each sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and was investigated by the Special Investigative Services Staff at FCI Gilmer.

BENJAMIN RAYMOND, age 36, and DRYDEN CRAVENS, age 45, inmates at USP Hazleton entered pleas of guilty to “Assault.” On November 10, 2012, RAYMOND and CRAVENS assaulted another inmate by stabbing them 6 times with prison-made knives. RAYMOND was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment to run consecutive to his current sentence of 300 months. CRAVENS was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment to run concurrent with his current sentence of 77 months. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and was investigated by the Special Investigative Services Staff at USP Hazelton.

ZSA ZSA DEE FIELDS, age 45, of Detroit, Michigan, entered a plea of guilty to “Introduction of a Prohibited Object - Marijuana.” On December 17, 2011, FIELDS provided marijuana to an inmate at FCI Gilmer. FIELDS was sentenced to 18 months probation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the Special Investigative Services at FCI Gilmer.