
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 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Martinsburg Resident Enters Plea of Guilty to
Retaliation Charge
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 32 year old Martinsburg, West Virginia, resident entered a plea of guilty on January 15, 2009, in United States District Court in Martinsburg before Magistrate Judge David J. Joel.
United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that: CHRISTINE MARIE PAINTER entered a plea of guilty to one count of retaliation against a Federal witness. PAINTER made a harmful and threatening telephone call to an individual with the intent to retaliate against that individual for providing information to law enforcement regarding drug activity in the Martinsburg area. PAINTER, who is currently on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas O. Mucklow. The case was investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.