Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

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ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA — A Federal grand jury in Elkins returned indictments in six new cases yesterday, according to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.

Beth Harman OURS, age 46, of Petersburg, West Virginia, was named in a five-count Indictment charging her with one count of distribution of ecstasy, two counts of distribution of oxycodone, one count of distribution of diazepam and one count of distribution of hydrocodone. If convicted, OURS faces up to 20 years in prison on the ecstasy and oxycodone charges, 5 years in prison on the diazepam charge, and 10 years in prison on the hydrocodone charge.

George William BARBER, age 47 of Upper Tract, West Virginia, was named in a two-count Indictment charging him with the distribution of Percocet pills. If convicted, BARBER faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.

These cases were 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.

Dorothy Ellen METZ, age 61, of Athens, Georgia, was named in a one-count Indictment charging her with the possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. If convicted, METZ faces up to 20 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Law Enforcement and Investigations Division of the United States Forest Service.

The OURS, BARBER and METZ cases will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner.

Roberto SOTO, age 51; Gregory PARDO, age 58; Antonio MARTINEZ-PORTA, age 38; and Ahmed JOHNSON, age 42, inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution at Gilmer, were named in a two-count Indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. Each face up to 5 years in prison. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower and was investigated by the Special Investigative Services Unit at FCI Gilmer.

Joseph A. GARRETT, age 49, of Haywood, West Virginia, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender. GARRETT faces up to 10 years in prison. GARRETT, who has a prior conviction in Marion County is alleged to have failed to register as a sex offender. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Clarence THOMPSON, age 35, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. THOMPSON, who has prior convictions for delivery of a controlled substance, uttering and burglary, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. THOMPSON faces up to 10 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The GARRETT and THOMPSON cases will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn A. Morgan.

An indictment is merely an accusation each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.