1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

August 2, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Grand Jury Indicts Six Individuals

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Six individuals were named in six Indictments returned on August 1, 2011, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Wheeling, West Virginia.

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

GREGORY LYNN SANDRETH, age 51, of Follansbee, West Virginia, was named in a two-count Indictment. Count One charges SANDRETH with possession of a firearm on March 30, 2011, in Follansbee, by a drug user. Count Two charges SANDRETH with making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealers during the acquisition of a firearm on February 19, 2011, in Follansbee, If convicted, SANDRETH faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

DAWANTAYE BOSWELL, age 35, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was named in a two-count Indictment. Count One charges BOSWELL with the possession with intent to distribute, within 1,000 feet of Riverview Towers, more than 280 grams of cocaine base on July 8, 2011, in Wheeling. Count Two charges BOSWELL with establishment of a manufacturing operation from July 7, 2011, to July 8, 2011, by manufacturing, storing or distributing crack cocaine from a residence in Wheeling. If convicted, BOSWELL faces a maximum exposure of 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of $8,000,000 as to Count One and 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 as to Count Two. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr and was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force consists of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

JASON RINKES, age 25, of Mingo Junction, Ohio, was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with possession of a firearm on February 17, 2011, in Weirton, West Virginia, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding on year. The Indictment also contains a Forfeiture Allegation wherein the United States seeks to forfeit one Harrington & Richardson, Model 88, .12 gauge shotgun and one Harrington & Richardson, Model Topper, .12 gauge shotgun. If convicted, RINKES faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

JOSEPH SAMUEL HALL, age 33, of Detroit, Michigan, was named in a two-count Indictment. Count One charges HALL with making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealers during the acquisition of a firearm on February 19, 2011, in Triadelphia, West Virginia. Count Two charges HALL with possession of a firearm on February 27, 2011, in Triadelphia, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding on year. The Indictment also contains a Forfeiture Allegation wherein the United States seeks to forfeit one Stoeger, Model Cougar, .40 caliber pistol and one Baretta, Model PX4, 9mm caliber pistol. If convicted, HALL faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count.

These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Perri and were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

ERIC LAMONT TRIGG, age 36, an inmate at FCI Morgantown, was named in a three-count Indictment. Count One charges TRIGG with assault of a correctional officer involving physical contact and with the intent to commit another felony when on July 23, 2010. Count Two charges TRIGG with attempted obstruction of justice on July 223, 2010, when he attempted to conceal a cellular telephone and prevent said cellular telephone from being used as evidence in an investigation for the possession of said cellular telephone. Count Three charges TRIGG with possession of a prohibited object (cellular telephone) that threatened the order, discipline and security of FCI Morgantown on July 23, 2011. If convicted, TRIGG faces a maximum exposure of 8 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 as to Count One; 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 as to Count Two; and, 6 months imprisonment and a fine of $5,000 as to Count Three.

JERRAMY ORLANDO BARRIOS, age 36, an unmate at USP Hazelton, was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with aiding and abetting the assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm on March 8, 2010. If convicted, BARRIOS faces a maximum exposure of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

These cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services at USP Hazelton and FCI Morgantown.

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.