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

July 13, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Federal Inmate Indicted for
Obstruction of Justice & False Statements

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 22 year old federal inmate was indicted on July 12, 2011, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that NATHANIEL TARVER, an inmate at USP Hazelton, was named in a two-count Indictment. Count One of the Indictment alleges that TARVER, in connection to an official proceeding at USP Hazelton on August 16, 2010, corruptly obstructed and impeded the proceedings by providing false information to a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Count Two of the Indictment alleges that TARVER provided false information to a Special Agent of the FBI on August 16, 2010.

If convicted, TARVER faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on the obtruction charge; and a maximum penalty of five years impriosnment and a fine of $250,000 for providing false information.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services at USP Hazelton.

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.