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September 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clarksburg Resident Indicted on
“Crack” Cocaine Charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 21 year old Clarksburg, West Virginia, resident was named in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on September 1, 2009.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that CHARLES CLINT GAINES, JR., also known as “CHUCK,” was named in a five-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that GAINES conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than five grams of cocaine base and less than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride between August 2008 and May 2009 in Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia, and elsewhere. Counts Two and Four of the Indictment allege that GAINES distributed cocaine base, also known as “crack,” on March 18, 2009, and May 12, 2009. Count Three of the Indictment alleges that GAINES possessed “crack” cocaine with the intent to distribute on March 18, 2009. Count Five of the Indictment alleges that GAINES possessed more than five grams of “crack” cocaine with the intent to distribute on March 18, 2009.

If convicted, GAINES faces a maximum penalty of five to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000 on Count One of the Indictment; a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 each on Counts Two, Three, and Four of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000 on Count Five of the Indictment.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan. The case was investigated by the Harrison/Lewis County Drug & Violent Crime 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.

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