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March 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Buckhannon Residents Arrested
On Methamphetamine Charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Two Buckhannon, West Virginia, residents were arrested this week on charges contained in two separate Indictments.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

DAVID MARK PAYNE, age 51, was named in a four-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that PAYNE conspired to possess equipment, chemical, and material used to manufacture methamphetamine from June 29, 2005, to June 25, 2008, in the Northern District of West Virginia. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that PAYNE possessed equipment, chemical, and material used to manufacture methamphetamine on June 29, 2005, in Barbour County. Counts Three and Four of the Indictment allege that PAYNE stole anhydrous ammonia, knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, on August 8, 2006, near Preston County; and on June 25, 2008, in Upshur County.

If convicted, PAYNE faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 each on Counts One and Two of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 each on Counts Three and Four of the Indictment.

PAYNE had an Initial Appearance and Detention Hearing this week and is free on bond pending disposition of the case.

The case was investigated by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department; the Preston County Sheriff’s Department; and the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department.

MICHAEL SCOTT STALNAKER, age 35, was named in a three-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that STALNAKER conspired to possess equipment, chemical, and material used to manufacture methamphetamine on October 19, 2007, in Upshur County, West Virginia. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that STALNAKER manufactured methamphetamine on a premises in which an individual under the age of 18 years was present and resided on October 19, 2007, in Upshur County. Count Three of the Indictment alleges that STALNAKER knowingly maintained a drug-involved premise on October 19, 2007, in Upshur County.

If convicted, STALNAKER faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count One of the Indictment; a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count Two of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count Three of the Indictment.

STALNAKER had an Initial Appearance and Detention Hearing this week and is currently in custody pending disposition of the case.

The case was investigated by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner.

It should be noted that the charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and that each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.