West Virginia Man Convicted Of Cocaine Trafficking, Operating Dog Fighting Venture

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Piedmont, West Virginia man has pleaded guilty to three felonies, including one tied to the operation of a dog fighting venture.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that TIMOTHY PAUL STEWART, age 34, of Piedmont, entered pleas of guilty to “Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine,” “Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” and “Possession of Dogs for Dog Fighting.” U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert accepted the pleas in Martinsburg federal court.

According to U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld, in October of this year agents served a federal drug trafficking indictment upon STEWART at his Mineral County home. During this process, officers observed seven firearms in plain view. After securing STEWART, officers then obtained a federal search warrant and returned to seize controlled substances, the seven firearms, and ammunition. During the execution of the search warrant, officers entered the basement of the residence where they observed evidence of an animal fighting venture including dogs, dog pelts, cages, and training equipment for the dogs. A new search warrant was obtained for the residence in order to seize the evidence of the animal fighting operation. Officers also seized approximately 25 grams of cocaine base and $3,968.00 in U.S. Currency.

STEWART, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 45 years in prison. As part of his plea, STEWART must forfeit the firearms and the U.S. currency. The case was investigated by the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Five other cases were heard by Judge Seibert, as follows:

STACEY L. WILLIAMSON, age 48, of Flintstone, Maryland, entered a plea of guilty to “Theft of Government Funds.” From March of 2013 to July 31, 2013, WILLIAMSON, who was a U.S. Postal Service employee, admitted to converting $1,737.49 to her own use. WILLIAMSON, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The STEWART and WILLIAMSON cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jarod J. Douglas.

CARL CHANEY, age 60, of Springfield, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” CHANEY, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison.

DONNIE COLLINS, age 28, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty to “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” COLLINS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to life years in prison due to four prior felony convictions from Baltimore, Maryland.

The CHANEY and COLLINS cases were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and investigate by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police.

CHARLES F. WADDELL, age 37, entered a plea of guilty to “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.” WADDELL, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Finally, MICHELLE BROWN, age 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Crack Cocaine.” BROWN, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 20 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri and investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.