Buckhannon, WV Man Convicted Of Witness Tampering

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ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Tobias Lynn Bennett, 41, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, was convicted in federal court on witness tampering charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced today.

An investigation by the West Virginia State Police revealed that, while incarcerated at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in Belington, West Virginia, Bennett discouraged two potential witnesses from testifying at a fellow inmate’s sentencing hearing.

Bennett pled guilty to one count of “Witness Tampering – Aiding and Abetting.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000.00. 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 Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull presided.