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

 

July 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Federal Grand Jury Returned
Indictments Against Four Individuals

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Four individuals were named in separate Indictments returned on July 21, 2009, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

CHAD MICHEL SPAUR, age 23, of Martinsburg, was named in a three-count Indictment. Counts One and Two of the Indictment allege that SPAUR distributed cocaine base, also known as “crack,” on two occasions on October 25, 2007, in Martinsburg. Count Three of the Indictment alleges that SPAUR possessed “crack” cocaine with the intent to distribute on October 26, 2007, in Martinsburg. If convicted, SPAUR faces a maximum penalty 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 Erin K. Reisenweber. The case was investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.

ACIENTO TYRONE WILLIAMS, also known as “DANTE,” age 35, was named in a three-count Indictment. Counts One and Three of the Indictment allege that WILLIAMS distributed cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” on May 8, 2009, and on July 16, 2009, in Jefferson County. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that WILLIAMS distributed cocaine base, also known as “crack,” on May 29, 2009, in Jefferson County. If convicted, WILLIAMS faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on the “coke” distributions; and a maximum penalty of five to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000 on the “crack” distribution. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

JASON LLOYD YAIDER, age 33, of Ridgeley, West Virginia, was named in a three-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that YAIDER unlawfully possessed firearms after a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence on December 12, 2008; on January 9, 2009; and on February 21, 2009, in Mineral County. If convicted, YAIDER faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count of the Indictment. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

SERVANDA VALEZ LEON, age 36, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that LEON, an alien, was found in the United States on June 26, 2009, in Berkeley County after having been deported in January 2005 and without obtaining the express consent of th Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General for readmission to the United States. If convicted, LEON faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It should be noted that the charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and that each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.