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May 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three Central West Virginia Residents
Indicted on Firearm Violations

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Three Central West Virginia residents were named in a separate Indictments returned on May 5, 2009, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

MICHAEL HARDIN, age 52, of Stonewood, was named in an Indictment charging HARDIN with being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 15, 2008, in Stonewood. HARDIN was previously convicted of Altering a Registration Plate and of Third Offense Driving Under the Influence and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

JAMES RAMAGE, of Fairmont, was named in an Indictment charging RAMAGE with being a felon in possession of a firearm on October 4, 2008, in Fairmont. RAMAGE was previously convicted of Malicous Assault and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

TIMOTHY THOMAS, age 35, of Morgantown, was named in an Indictment charging THOMAS with being a felon in possession of a firearm on August 9, 2008, in Westover. THOMAS was previously convicted of Armed Robbery, Grand Theft, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Cocaine and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

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.