1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

 

January 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Five Named in Cocaine Indictment

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Five individuals were named in an Indictment returned on January 6, 2009, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that CARMEN LEEANN JOHNSTON, age 28, of Morgantown; KEVIN MICHAEL KNOTTS, age 35, of Tunnelton; MARGO VICTOR, age 36, of Morgantown; GABRIEL R. SMITH, also known as “BOSS,” age 20, of Columbus, Ohio; and JASON ALLEN SIMPKINS, age 30, of Morgantown, were named in a seven-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that JOHNSTON, KNOTTS, VICTOR, SMITH, and SIMPKINS conspired to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” from the Summer of 2007 to January 2009.

JOHNSTON was named in three additional counts of the Indictment. Counts Two, Three, and Four of the Indictment allege that JOHNSTON distributed “crack” cocaine on February 28, 2008, and March 1, 2008, in Monongalia County; and on March 5, 2008, in Marion County.

KNOTTS was named in three additional counts of the Indictment. Counts Three and Four of the Indictment allege that KNOTTS distributed “crack” cocaine on March 1, 2008, in Monongalia County, and on March 5, 2008, in Marion County. Count Six of the Indictment alleges that KNOTTS distributed cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” on April 29, 2008, in Marion County.

VICTOR and SIMPKINS were each named in one additional count of the Indictment. Count Five of the Indictment alleges that VICTOR and SIMPKINS distributed “crack” cocaine on April 23, 2008, in Monongalia County.

SMITH was named in two additional counts of the Indictment. Counts Five and Seven of the Indictment allege that SMITH distributed “crack” cocaine on April 23, 2008, and on June 26, 2008, in Monongalia County.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum exposure of 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of $4,000,000 on Count One of the Indictment; and a maximum exposure of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 each on Counts Two through Seven of the Indictment.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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