Putnam County Man Sentenced for Identity Theft

HUNTINGTON, WV—Justin Bailey, 21, of Poca, West Virginia, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. Bailey entered a guilty plea to the charge in August 2009.

According to court documents, in March and April 2008, Bailey took the name and other means of identification of a victim and, using that information, applied for credit cards over the internet. Upon receipt of the credit cards, Bailey activated the cards and used them to buy merchandise in Cabell, Putnam and Kanawha Counties, resulting in credit card losses of approximately $10,796 to various people and entities. Bailey further used the victim’s means of identification to obtain bank loans from BB&T, Marine One Financing, and credit from First Premier Bank and GEMB/Texico. An investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department revealed that Bailey falsely derived approximately $48,137 from the schemes. Bailey was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims for the losses incurred. Assistant United States Attorney Erik Goes handled the prosecution. This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Identity Theft Initiative.

OHIO MAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR POSSESSING STOLEN MOTORCYCLE

Also in Huntington yesterday, Edward Jay Messer, 45, of Cincinnati, Ohio, pled guilty to possessing a stolen motor vehicle that had crossed interstate lines. According to a federal investigation, a Harley Davidson Heritage motorcycle was stolen from a hotel parking lot in Ohio in July 2004. The stolen motorcycle was disassembled, then reassembled with another frame, transmission and motor case. Messer admitted he knew the motorcycle was stolen when it was presented to the Huntington Police Department for inspection. After the reassembled motorcycle was titled, it was transported to a Kentucky pawn shop where it was later sold. As part of his plea agreement, Messer stipulated he had titled seven stolen and reassembled motorcycles valued at approximately $83,000 between 2001 and 2004. Messer, who is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8, 2010, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cabell County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is handling the prosecution.

HUNTINGTON CRACK DEALER PLEADS GUILTY

Tracy Robbins, 31, of Huntington, West Virginia, pled guilty today before Judge Chambers to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Robbins admitted that from November 2007, to November 2008, she participated in a drug conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in the Huntington and Beckley, West Virginia areas. Robbins sold crack cocaine and stored drugs and money at her residence at the direction of other conspirators. Robbins faces up to life in prison when she is sentenced on February 22, 2010. The Huntington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.

CANADIAN NATIONAL SENTENCED ON DRUG CHARGE

CHARLESTON, WV—Tiffany Lynn Wilson, 23, of Ontario, Canada, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin to 15 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Wilson pled guilty to the charge on August 10, 2009. In May 2009, Wilson accompanied her boyfriend, Gino Andrea Washington, from Canada to West Virginia to sell cocaine base and pills containing oxycodone. On May 6, 2009, Washington was arrested after selling crack to a confidential informant working at the direction of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Through the investigation of Washington, detectives found Wilson in a local hotel room. Agents seized approximately 12 grams of crack, over 80 pills containing oxycodone, and $2,800 in drug proceeds.