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May 21, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Martinsburg Resident Pleads Guilty to
Multiple Cocaine Charges

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 53 year old Martinsburg, West Virginia, resident entered guilty pleas on May 8, 2009, in United States District Court in Martinsburg before Magistrate Judge David J. Joel.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that GILBERT COLEMAN SHEPHERD entered guilty pleas to a seven-count Indictment to distribution of cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride beginning on March 31, 2008, and concluding on October 9, 2008. SHEPHERD, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on each of the seven counts.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, consisting of officers from the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.