Federal Grand Jury Indicts Charleston Man For Murder Of Informant

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that a 38-year-old man was indicted today by a federal grand jury sitting in Charleston for offenses related to the murder of a prosecution witness.  According to the seven-count indictment, Marlon Dewayne Dixon, of Charleston, W.Va. distributed heroin on three occasions in May of 2014.  On July 12, 2014, Dixon shot and killed Branda Mae Delight Basham, 21, in retaliation for her cooperation with law enforcement in that investigation and to prevent her from testifying or continuing to provide information against him.  Dixon has multiple felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.  The indictment alleges that Dixon was convicted in federal court of cocaine base and cocaine distribution in 1999 and 2006 as well as convicted in Kanawha County Circuit Court of malicious wounding in 2007.

Dixon faces up to life in federal prison or the death penalty, if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department, the Metro Drug Unit (MDENT), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is in charge of the prosecution.

Click here to see a copy of the indictment.  An indictment is only an allegation.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless he is convicted.