Former County Prosecutor Convicted Of Oxycodone Distribution Six Others Appear For Hearings In Martinsburg Federal Court

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A former assistant county prosecutor was
convicted in federal court for the illegal distribution of painkillers, according to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II.

JAMES CASIMIRO, III, age 37, of Ranson, West Virginia, and a former assistant prosecuting attorney in Jefferson County, WV, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Oxycodone” and now faces up to 20 years in prison. CASIMIRO admitted to obtaining the painkillers from a cancer patient and then selling them for profit. The investigation involved the use of a confidential informant who made purchases of oxycodone tablets from CASIMIRO in May and June of 2013, a time period during which he was still employed as a prosecutor.

“Because of the defendant’s occupation we moved quickly to investigate and to prosecute this matter,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “If someone who is sworn to uphold the law is instead breaking the law then we must move swiftly to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

The CASIMIRO case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti.

In another matter, Ihlenfeld announced that two Hedgesville residents were convicted for the sale of heroin.

DANIEL ROBERT MYERS, JR., age 35, and JORDAN BROOKE GAMBRELL, age 20, both of Hedgesville, West Virginia, entered pleas of guilty to “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” on November 15, 2012. MYERS, who is in custody, and GAMBRELL, who is free on bond, each face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced.

The MYERS & GAMBRELL cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jarod J. Douglas and 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, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.

BRIAN NICKENS, age 38, of Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Drug User in Possession of a Firearm” on March 26, 2012. NICKENS, who is in custody pending sentencing faces up to 10 years in prison. This case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Camilletti.

ERIC SCOTT TAYLOR, age 34, of Gerrardstown, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Distribution of Marijuana” on July 31, 2013. TAYLOR, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to 5 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Douglas and investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KEIRA LEE WIDDOWS, age 31, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, and formerly of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release for “False Statement in Acquisition of a Firearm” on January 10, 2012. WIDDOWS, who is free on bond, will self-report to the designated Federal Institution. This case was investigated by the Washington County, Maryland, Sheriff’s Department, the Maryland State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Camilletti.

JASON SWISHER, age 30, and JENNIFER HILEMAN, age 30, of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, were sentenced to 33 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release and 16 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release, respectively, for “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin” in the Berkeley County, West Virginia, area. SWISHER was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution and HILEMAN will self-report to the designated Federal institution in October. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.