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
January 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Five Defendants Entered Guilty Pleas to
Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises & Distribution of “Crack”
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Five defendants entered guilty pleas on January 9 - 16, 2009, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.
United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:
JAMES GILLISPIE, age 55, of Clarksburg, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with maintaining a residence in Clarksburg for the purpose of storing, distributing, and using cocaine base and marijuana from November 2007 to September 4, 2008. GILLISPIE, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000.
KYLE TORRES, also known as “TAY,” age 22, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging TORRES with selling over five grams of “crack” from James Gillispie’s house in Clarksburg on January 23, 2008. TORRES, who is currently in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of five to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000.
CLOYD LILLEY, age 52, of Shinnston, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with maintaining a residence in Shinnston for the purpose of storing and distributing “crack” cocaine and marijuana from September 2007 to September 2008. LILLEY, who is currently in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan. The cases were investigated by the Harrison/Lewis County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigations; and the Three Rivers Drug Task Force.
FRANK L. JACKSON, age 46, of Fairmont, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging him with the distribution of “crack” cocaine on May 12, 2008, in Marion County. JACKSON, who is currently in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The case was investigated by the Three Rivers Drug Task Force.
DEBRA PRITT, age 53, of Salem, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Information charging her with maintaining a residence in Salem for the purpose of selling marijuana, oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone from March 2007 to March 2008. PRITT, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar. The case was investigated by the Harrison/Lewis County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force.
The Harrison/Lewis County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force consists of officers from the Clarksburg Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Three Rivers Drug Task Force consists of officers from the Fairmont Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.
