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February 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Four Eastern Panhandle Residents Receive
Lengthy Prison Terms for Drug & Firearms Violations

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Four Eastern Panhandle residents were sentenced on February 24 and 25, 2009, in United States District Court in Martinsburg by Chief Judge John Preston Bailey.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

DELANTE ANTWUNE ROPER, age 35, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was sentenced to 322 months imprisonment to be followed by eight years supervised release. ROPER entered guilty pleas on October 28, 2008, to one count of distribution of cocaine base on March 10, 2008, in Kearneysville, West Virginia; and one count of using and carrying a firearm in connection with that distribution. ROPER’s sentence was enhanced due to his lengthy prior criminal record. ROPER is in federal custody.

The case was investigated by the Charles Town Police Department; the Ranson Police Department; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

TIMOTHY WAYNE MCDONALD, age 46, of Jefferson County, West Virginia, was sentenced to 100 months imprisonment to be followed by four years supervised release. MCDONALD entered a plea of guilty on November 6, 2008, to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. MCDONALD received a lengthy sentence due to the significant amount of “crack” cocaine involved and prior narcotics convictions. MCDONALD is in federal custody.

CLIFTON LEMANUEL JOHNSON, age 30, of Ranson, West Virginia, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment to be followed by eight years supervised release. JOHNSON entered a plea of guilty on October 27, 2008, to one count of distribution of cocaine base on March 4, 2008. JOHNSON had a prior drug conviction in this district, and this second offense had a mandatory 10-year sentence. JOHNSON was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.

JAMES SHELTON, age 39, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 77 months imprisonment to be followed by three years supervised release. SHELTON entered a plea of guilty on October 23, 2008, to one count of distribution of cocaine base on April 1, 2008, in Berkeley County, West Virginia. SHELTON is currently free on bond and will self-report to a designated federal institution.

The cases were investigated by the Charles Town Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti.

 

 

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