OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Sharon L. Potter
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist
July 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Fairmont Residents Indicted
on Marijuana Charges
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Two Fairmont, West Virginia, residents were named in an Indictment returned on July 16, 2007, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that ROBERT H. BURT, age 48, and DEBORAH L. WAYNE, age 46, were named in a two-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that BURT and WAYNE, aided and abetted by each other, manufactured 50 or more marijuana plants on September 23, 2006, in Marion County. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that BURT and WAYNE possessed with intent to distribute more than 50 marijuana plants on September 23, 2006, in Marion County.
The Indictment also carries a forfeiture allegation wherein the United States seeks to forfeit any property that was used or intended to be used to facilitate the commission of the offenses alleged in the Indictment. This includes, but is not limited to, a residence located at 1138 A Boulevard Avenue, Fairmont, and a blue 1986 Jaguar XJS.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum exposure of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on each count of the Indictment.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The case was investigated by the Three Rivers Drug Task Force, consisting of officers from the Fairmont Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.
It should be noted that the charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and that each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.