Monongalia County man admits to lying to federal agent

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Darus Zehrbach, of Westover, West Virginia, has admitted to making a false statement, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Zehrbach, age 72, pled guilty to one count of “False Statement to Federal Agent.” Zehrbach admitted to sending a letter to an agent of the United States Department of Commerce stating that a shipment he sent to Iran had originated in China when in fact that shipment originated in the United States. The crime took place in Monongalia County in June of 2018. 

Zehrbach faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.