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September 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Four Indicted by Federal Grand Jury

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Four individuals were named in separate Indictments returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on September 15, 2009.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

EDDIE LEE PENLAND, age 21, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was named in a five-count Indictment. Counts One, Two, Three, and Five of the Indictment allege that PENLAND, having been convicted of a crime punishable for a term exceeding one year, unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition in March 2009 and April 2009 in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Count Four of the Indictment alleges that PENLAND possessed a stolen firearm on April 22, 2009, in Jefferson County. If convicted, PENLAND faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count of the Indictment. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

TRICIA LYNNE JONES, age 39, of Martinsburg, was named in a three-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that JONES conspired to use numerous credit cards in the names of various individuals, all of which were obtained with intent to defraud, obtained goods and services totaling approximately $2,789.92 from December 2007 through April 2008 in the Northern District of West Virginia and elsewhere. Counts Two and Three of the Indictment allege that JONES made false material statements when she advised a federal agent that she had no knowledge or involvement in a scheme to obtain goods and services using unauthorized access devices and that she could not remember how she obtained certain merchandise. If convicted, JONES faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count of the Indictment. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

STEFFNEY DENISE MAHON, also known as “STEFFNEY DENISE WELLS,” age 39, of Martinsburg, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that MAHON, who was the recipient of payments under Social Security Administration Title II as the Representative Payee for her juvenile daughter, continued to receive benefits for her daughter after she was taken away from her and placed in foster care and failed to notify the Social Security Administration. The Indictment further alleges that the total amount of benefits paid to MAHON from June 2005 through November 2008 is $25,772.00. If convicted, MAHON faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul T. Camilletti. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General.

HERMAN D. SISK, age 62, of Martinsburg, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that SISK embezzled and converted to his own use Veterans Administration disability benefits in the amount of $20,000.00 on November 3, 2006, in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. If convicted, SISK faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber. The case was investigated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General.

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.