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July 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Defendants Entered Guilty Pleas
on Firearms Violations

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Two defendants entered guilty pleas on July 20, 2009, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that CRAIG ROBIN ROBERTS, also known as “CROW,” age 46, of Clarksburg, and RICHARD EUGENE MCWHIRT, also known as “SPIDEY,”age 29, of Oklahoma, both entered guilty pleas to charges contained in a Superseding Indictment returned against them in May 2009.

ROBERTS entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to violate federal firearms laws and other laws in December 2008 in Clarksburg. ROBERTS, who is currently in custody, faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

MCWHIRT entered a plea of guilty to aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm in Clarksburg which had been shipped in interstate commerce. MCWHIRT, who is currently in custody, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Clarksburg Police Department; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.