Elkins Resident Enters Guilty Plea to Making False Statements

CLARKSBURG, WV—A 48-year-old Elkins, West Virginia resident entered a plea of guilty on September 1, 2011, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that SHERRY LOU SMITH (now known as Sherry White) entered a plea of guilty to one count of an indictment charging her with knowingly making false, fraudulent, and fictitious statements and representations to a Deputy United States Marshal on March 22, 2010. When questioned, SMITH stated that Charles Smith did not live with her; that Charles Smith had left six months ago; and stated that Charles Smith had returned to Indiana to live with her sister, when SHERRY SMITH knew that Charles Smith was living with her on March 22, 2010.

SMITH, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

SMITH was indicted on multiple charges in April of 2011 along with Anthony Lambert and Cassandra Smith. Lambert plead guilty on August 9, 2011, to making false and fraudulent statements to law enforcement authorities and is awaiting sentencing. Cassandra Smith’s trial is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2011.

The case is being prosecuted by USA Ihlenfeld and Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan. The case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; and the Elkins Police Department.