HUNTINGTON BANK ROBBER PLEADS GUILTY

HUNTINGTON, WV – A Huntington man pled guilty today before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to bank robbery. JULIAN EDWARD TUCKER, 20, admitted today at his hearing that on November 14, 2007, he robbed the Branch Banking and Trust located on Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington, WV. TUCKER further admitted he handed a bank teller a note and fled the scene with approximately $1,800 in cash. TUCKER, who is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, 2008, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is handling the prosecution.

TWO HUNTINGTON MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO CRACK COCAINE CHARGES

HUNTINGTON, WV – Two men pled guilty today before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to Federal drug charges. MICHAEL HARRIS, 37, of Huntington, WV, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. On November 7, 2007, HARRIS possessed a quantity of crack cocaine in Huntington, WV. HARRIS admitted he intended to distribute the drugs. HARRIS faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on June 30, 2008. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Huntington Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.
In an unrelated case, COREY ALAN WALMSLEY, 29, also of Huntington, WV, pled guilty before Judge Chambers to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base. WALMSLEY admitted that on November 13, 2007, he possessed five grams or more of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute the drugs. WALMSLEY faces five to forty years' imprisonment and a $2 million fine. The Huntington Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. R. Gregory McVey is handling both drug prosecutions.

PARKERSBURG MAN SENTENCED FOR FAILING TO UPDATE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION

CHARLESTON, WV – ROGER BLAINE CARPENTER, 41, of Parkersburg, WV, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin to 30 months imprisonment for failing to update his sex offender registration. As a result of his conviction in Wood County, West Virginia in 1996 of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, CARPENTER was required to register as a sex offender and keep his registration current under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In February 2005, CARPENTER was arrested and convicted in Texas for failing to register as a sex offender. Thereafter, CARPENTER moved from Texas to Parkersburg, West Virginia. CARPENTER failed to notify the authorities of his new address and failed to update his sex offender registration as required. CARPENTER, who previously pled guilty, also faces a three year term of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. The United States Marshal Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Bleattler handled the prosecution.