1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

 

January 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Resident Convicted of
Conspiracy & Obstruction of Justice

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 24 year old McKeesport, Pennsylvania, resident was convicted at trial today (January 9, 2009) by a Federal Trial Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia, before Judge Irene M. Keeley.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that LATANYA GARCIA was convicted on charges contained in a Third Superseding Indictment after a four-day trial. GARCIA was named in and convicted of two counts of a six-count Third Superseding Indictment. GARCIA was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice from September 11, 2007, to April 2008; and aiding and abetting the obstruction of justice.

Evidence presented at trial showed that GARCIA aided and abetted and conspired with her husband, Keenon Mikell, also known as “KeeMike,” and other unknown persons, to attempt to corruptly persuade a potential witness, and otherwise to corruptly obstruct, influence, and impede a federal drug prosecution proceeding against Mikell at the time.

Mikell previously pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Third Superseding Indictment (a charge of aiding and abetting in the distribution of cocaine) and to Count Five, for which his wife now stands convicted.

GARCIA, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each of the two counts.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan. The case was investigated by the Harrison Lewis Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, consisting of officers from the Clarksburg Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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