WHEELING, WV—Three agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation were recognized for their outstanding work in investigations involving two former West Virginia sheriffs and a woman who embezzled over a million dollars from a race track.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II recognized three FBI agents at the U.S. Attorney’s Award ceremony held in Wheeling. FBI Special Agent Dave Rauser was honored for his work in exposing the civil rights violations committed by former Jefferson County (West Virginia) Sheriff Bobby Shirley that led to Shirley’s resignation, conviction, and prison sentence.

FBI Special Agent Frederick Aldridge was honored for his investigation of former Barbour County Sherriff John Hawkins, who resigned and recently pleaded guilty to charges related to the filing of a false insurance claim. Hawkins is free on bond pending a sentencing hearing.

FBI Special Agent Lawrence Quigley was recognized for his work in exposing the crimes of Anita Ambler, the former bookkeeper at the Mountaineer Racetrack who was convicted by a federal jury trial last year on 11 counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, and four counts of transacting in criminal proceeds. The evidence at trial showed that Ambler was involved in the theft of over $1.3 million from an account that was being maintained by Mountaineer Race Track and Casino on behalf of the Horsemen’s Association. Ambler presently is serving an 87 month prison sentence.

Other recipients of awards include:

• Retired DEA Special Agent Robert L. Manchas, U.S. Attorney Award for Distinguished Service
• Greater Harrison County (WV) Drug Task Force, U.S. Attorney Award for the investigation of Hot Stuff, Cool Things, a synthetic drug retailer from Clarksburg
• Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a U.S. Attorney Award for its investigation of a drug trafficking organization from Chicago
• West Virginia State Police Sgt. Matthew S. Adams, U.S. Attorney Award for investigation of Michael John Jones, who was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, and is now facing charges in state court in Brooke County for similar conduct
• ATF Special Agent Ken Grace, U.S. Attorney Award for the investigation of the thefts of firearms from the Stonewood, West Virginia police department
• IRS-CI Agent Jeff James, IRS Agent Danielle McWatters, and HHS Agent Mary Ann Withrow, U.S. Attorney Awards for their inquiry into Dr. Allen Saoud, who was convicted at trial for scheming to circumvent Medicare and Medicaid, bankruptcy fraud, lying to a federal agent, aggravated identify theft, and obstruction of internal revenue laws by filing false income tax returns

The ceremony included remarks from U.S. District Court Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. and the presence of many local, state, and federal law enforcement leaders from throughout West Virginia.