Federal, state authorities collaborate to enhance drug enforcement and education

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Federal and state authorities unveiled a unique partnership today designed to intensify efforts in West Virginia to combat drug trafficking and enhance prevention initiatives.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that two attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will be designated as special assistant United States attorneys. In their federal capacity, these attorneys will handle drug cases with a special emphasis on the prosecution of heroin trafficking organizations from Baltimore, Maryland.

“The Eastern Panhandle is an attractive market to drug dealers, especially those with a base of operation in Baltimore,” said Ihlenfeld.  “This partnership will help to address that threat and is part of our continuing efforts to leverage new resources and techniques to save lives and strengthen our response to the distribution of drugs in West Virginia.”

“Federal partnerships are critical to winning this battle,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “By joining with U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld, together our offices mount a strong offensive aimed at taking back the neighborhoods and communities where dealers peddle prescription painkillers and heroin – a deadly epidemic already killing far too many of our citizens across northern West Virginia.”

The partnership will also build upon current substance abuse prevention and education initiatives targeting West Virginia youth. These efforts will include, among other programs, interactive presentations to local schools specifically designed to highlight stories of West Virginia families that have been impacted by drug abuse and addiction.

Assistant Attorney General Lara Omps-Botteicher has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and was recently sworn in by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gina M. Groh.  A second attorney from Morrisey’s office will be given the same designation in the near future.

Since 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has utilized special assistants to handle cases in federal court involving drugs and violent crime.  Prosecutors from Brooke, Ohio, Harrison, Berkeley and Jefferson counties have participated in the program.