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

April 18, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Martinsburg Resident Arrested on Drug Charges

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 39 year old Martinsburg, West Virginia, resident was arrested last week on charges contained in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Wheeling, West Virginia, on April 5, 2011.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that JONATHAN FREDERICK BENNETT, also known as “WATER,” was arrested after being named in a three-count drug Indictment. Counts One and Two of the Indictment allege that BENNETT distributed “crack” cocaine on two occasions on January 13, 2011, in Martinsburg. Count Three of the Indictment alleges that BENNETT possessed heroin and cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” with the intent to distribute on February 19, 2011, in Berkeley County.

If convicted, BENNETT 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, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

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.