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November 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three Named in Federal Indictments

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Three individuals were named in separate Indictments returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on November 4, 2010.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that:

RICHARD MCDONALD, age 27, was named in a five-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that MCDONALD conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” from the Spring of 2009 until Mach 2010 in the Northern District of West Virginia. Counts Two and Three of the Indictment allege that MCDONALD distributed cocaine base, also known as “crack,” on December 8, 2009, in Morgantown. Count Four of the Indictment alleges that MCDONALD distributed cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” on December 9, 2009, in Morgantown. Count Five of the Indictment alleges that MCDONALD distributed cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” on December 10, 2009, in Morgantown. If convicted, MCDONALD faces a maximum penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of $4,000,000 on Count One of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on each of the remaining counts of the Indictment. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

RICKY JOE FRASHURE, age 38, of Linn, West Virginia, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that FRASHURE, who was previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a H & R Revolver, Model 929, .22 caliber on October 2, 2008, in Gilmer County. If convicted, FRASHURE faces a maximum penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

THELMA J. PASKO, age 30, of Reynoldsville, West Virginia, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that PASKO, a Postal Service employee, misappropriated postal funds from May 2010 to August 28, 2010, in the approximate value of $393.67 in stamps and $1,945.66 in United States Postal Service money order funds. If convicted, PASKO faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service - 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.