Six USP Hazelton Inmates Charged in Three Separate Indictments

CLARKSBURG, WV—Six inmates from USP Hazelton were named in three separate Indictments which were returned on July 7, 2009, by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that:

MARK A. MILLER, age 43, was named in a two-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that MILLER forcibly interfered or intimidated an employee of the Bureau of Prisons while she was engaged in her official duties at USP Hazelton on April 24, 2009. Count Two of the Indictment alleges that MILLER engaged in abusive sexual contact on April 24, 2009, at USP Hazelton. If convicted, MILLER faces a maximum penalty of eight years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count One of the Indictment; and a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on Count Two of the Indictment.

DAVID WATKINS, age 29, was named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that WATKINS assaulted another inmate with a dangerous weapon on October 15, 2008, in Preston County. If convicted, WATKINS faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

JOSE DEJESUS MARTINEZ, age 35; EFREN MENDOZA-MENDOZA, age 30; RAMON SUAREZ-CORONADO, age 37; and ISREAL ELIZONDO-ANGELES, age 34, were named in a one-count Indictment. The Indictment alleges that the defendants, aided and abetted by each other, assaulted another person with a dangerous weapon on October 3, 2008, at USP Hazelton. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David E. Godwin. The cases were 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 Indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and that each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.