Berkeley County woman charged with theft of government property

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Crystal M. Tress, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was arrested today and had an initial appearance after being indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Martinsburg on November 16, 2019, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Tress, age 41, was indicted on one count of “Theft of Government Property.” Tress is accused of embezzling more than $1,000 that belonged to the United States government while she was employed at the Veterans Canteen Service. The crime allegedly took place from April 2018 to March 2019 in Berkeley County.

Tress faces up to 10 years incarceration.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Veterans Affairs Police investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.