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Press Release

Federal Jury Convicts Clay County Man For Dealing Methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

Late WV State Police members Corporal Marshall Bailey and Trooper Eric Workman played pivotal role in building case against known meth dealer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Clay County man faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison after a federal jury sitting in Charleston convicted him on May 16 of methamphetamine distribution, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.  Raymond Hersman, 47, of Wallback, Clay County, W.Va., was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Hersman was charged in a one-count superseding indictment in April. 

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said, “This is perhaps the last investigation on which the late Trooper Eric Workman and the late Corporal Marshall Bailey worked. The work of these heroes paid off yet again with another bad guy behind bars. It's also worth noting that this is National Police Week--a time to honor all of our men and women in uniform for their sacrifices and to honor those who, like Corporal Bailey and Trooper Workman, made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”

Evidence at trial proved that on September 22, 2012, Hersman possessed and intended to distribute approximately 400 grams of actual methamphetamine near Gauley Bridge in Fayette County.  

According to evidence revealed during the three-day trial, law enforcement agents began investigating Hersman’s suspected meth distribution scheme in and around Clay County in August 2012.  At the time, agents were aided in the investigation by West Virginia State Troopers Cpl. Marshall Bailey and Trooper Eric Workman.  Troopers Bailey and Workman, both of whom patrolled the Clay County area, provided essential details to fellow law enforcement agents which outlined Hersman’s methamphetamine operation in August 2012.  The information provided by Bailey and Workman assisted the investigation and culminated with the conviction of Hersman yesterday.

Cpl. Marshall Bailey and Trooper Eric Workman were shot and killed in the line of duty following a traffic stop near Clay County in late August 2012. 

Hersman was previously convicted in April 1993 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

Hersman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.

The West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Monica D. Coleman and John Frail handled the prosecution. 

Click here to listen to an audio clip provided by U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin

Updated January 7, 2015