Upshur County, WV woman charged with concealing a fugitive from arrest

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Ashley Nicole Fulton, 27, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, with concealing a fugitive from arrest, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Fulton is alleged to have attempted to prevent representatives of the United States Marshals Service from discovering the whereabouts of Daniel Lee Canter, 30, of Volga, West Virginia, who had been charged with methamphetamine trafficking in the Northern District of West Virginia. Specifically, Fulton is alleged to have falsely told officers from the Marshals Service that Canter was not present at her home.

Canter was discovered in possession of methamphetamine in November 2014 in Lewis County, West Virginia. He pled guilty earlier this month to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Fulton is charged with one count of “Concealing Person From Arrest” and one count of “False Statement to Federal Officer.” She faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service is leading the inquiry.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.