News and Press Releases

DOJ Seal

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: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist

April 17, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Jury Indicts Rock Cave Resident

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA - A 38 year old Rock Cave, West Virginia, resident was named in an Indictment returned on April 17, 2012, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Elkins, West Virginia.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that: RICHARD JASON BROWN was named in a nine-count Indictment. Counts One through Six charge Brown with two counts of Possession of Pseudoephedrine with Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine in Lewis County on May 24 and July 5, 2011, and four counts of Possession of Pseudoephedrine with Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine in Upshur County on August 2, August 13 and September 18, 2011 and on April 2, 2012. Counts Seven and Eight charge BROWN with the Possession of Material Used in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine on September 18, 2011, and April 2, 2012, in Upshur County. Count Nine charges BROWN with the Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana on April 2, 2012, in Upshur County. The Indictment also contains a Forfeiture Allegation wherein the United States seeks to forfeit $378 which constitutes drug proceeds.

If convicted, the BROWN faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 on Counts One through Eight and 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count Nine.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and was investigated by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police.

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.