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March 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Five Defendants Entered
Guilty Pleas in Federal Court

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Five defendants entered guilty pleas in United States District Court in Martinsburg before Magistrate Judge David J. Joel.

Acting United States Attorney Betsy C. Jividen announced that:

EDVAR NAVARRATTE HERNANDEZ, age 28, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty on February 24, 2010, to one count of an Indictment charging HERNANDEZ, a citizen of Hondorus, with re-entering the United States without have first gained permission to re-enter from either the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security as required by law. HERNANDEZ, who is currently in custody, faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

ALBERTO LEON MENDEZ, age 32, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty on February 24, 2010, to one count of an Indictment charging MENDEZ, a citizen of Mexico, with re-entering the United States without have first gained permission to re-enter from either the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security as required by law. MENDEZ, who is currently in custody, faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the West Virginia State Police.

EDDIE LEE PENLAND, age 22, of Charles Town, entered a plea of guilty on February 18, 2010, to one count of an Indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on April 22, 2009. PENLAND, who is currently in custody, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Charles Town Police Department; and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

THOMAS JAMES KING, age 21, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty on February 24, 2010, to an Information charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on October 25, 2009. KING, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.

LARRY EUGENE GOLLIDAY, age 27, of Martinsburg, entered a plea of guilty on March 1, 2010, to one count of an Indictment charging GOLLIDAY with being a felon in possession of firearms on August 31, 2008. GOLLIDAY, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Martinsburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.