OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
William J. Ihlenfeld, II
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist
July 20, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buckhannon Resident Arrested on Drug Charges
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA — A 47 year old Buckhannon, West Virginia, resident was arrested on July 18, 2011, on charges contained in an Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Elkins, West Virginia, in June 2011.
United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that JAMES ROBERT SHAVER, also known as “HIPPY,” was arrested on charges contained in a five-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that SHAVER maintained a drug-involved premise in the Spring of 2010 in Buckhannon. Counts Two and Four of the Indictment allege that SHAVER distributed methamphetamine on March 26, 2010, and on May 5, 2010, in Buckhannon. Count Three of the Indictment alleges that SHAVER used a telephone to distribute methamphetamine on May 5, 2010, in Buckhannon. Count Five of the Indictment alleges that SHAVER distributed “crack” cocaine on May 17, 2010, in Buckhannon.
SHAVER had an Initial Appearance on July 19, 2011, before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull. SHAVER has an Arraignment and Detention Hearing scheduled for July 22, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge Kaull.
If convicted, SHAVER faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 on Count One of the Indictment; a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 each on Counts Two, Four, and Five of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count Three of the Indictment.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner. The case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
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.
