Press Release
Martinsburg residents indicted for fentanyl, cocaine, heroin distribution
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Tinesha Joann Burrows, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was arrested and had an initial appearance Friday after being indicted July 23, 2019 by a federal grand jury sitting in Martinsburg, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
“Exceptional law enforcement efforts led to seizure of fentanyl in quantities that could kill everyone in Berkeley County twice over. When combined with the seizure of firearms, the result is a very dangerous combination. Luckily, none of it will get on our streets. We remain steadfast in our mission to prosecute these cases,” said Powell.
Burrows, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.”
Dwayne Paige, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, is also charged in the indictment. He is currently in custody. Paige, age 45, was indicted on two counts of “Distribution of Fentanyl,” one count of Distribution of Cocaine Base,” one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.”
Burrows and Paige are accused of having more than 400 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of cocaine, and 28 grams of cocaine base. Paige, a person prohibited from having a firearm, is also accused of having two .45 caliber handguns and a .40 caliber handgun. The crimes are alleged to have occurred December 2018 to February 2019 in Berkeley County.
Burrows faces ten years to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the aiding and abetting fentanyl count, and five to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for each of the other aiding and abetting counts. Paige faces 10 years to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000 for the aiding and abetting fentanyl count, five to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for each of the other aiding and abetting counts, and up to 20 years incarceration and fine of up to $1,000,000 for each of the distribution counts. Paige is also facing up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count. 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.
The government is also seeking forfeiture of the following in connection to the alleged crimes:
• $51,157.00 in U.S. currency
• 18K White Gold Diamond Ring
• 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace Featuring 1988 1 Ounce Gold Eagle
• 14K Rose Gold Diamond Padlock Necklace
• 14K White Gold Hamsa Diamond Pendant Necklace
• Hi-Point .45 caliber magazine with 9 rounds ammunition
• Beretta .40 caliber magazine with 11 rounds ammunition
• Glock .45 caliber magazine with 13 rounds ammunition
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Washington County, Maryland Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Updated August 5, 2019
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Opioids
Component