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November 30, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Clarksburg Resident Enters Plea to Sexual Abuse of a Ward

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A 36 year old Clarksburg, West Virginia, resident entered a plea of guilty on November 29, 2011, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that CARRIE L. COCKRELL entered a plea of guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a ward. COCKRELL was the director of Bannum House, a federally contracted halfway house between December 1, 2006, and January 31, 2007. While the director, COCKRELL engaged in a sexual relationship with a resident at the Bannum House, who was a federal inmate in custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. COCKRELL, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.