Defendants are latest to plead guilty out of nearly two
dozen indicted after long-term narcotics investigation
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two men pled guilty today for their roles
in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
James Rodney Staples, 39, of Woodbridge, VA, entered his guilty plea to
conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 5
kilograms of cocaine, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and more than one
kilogram of heroin. Esau Burnette, 38,
of Beckley, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute and possess
with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of
cocaine. Staples and Burnette are two of
23 defendants indicted in June 2017 after a comprehensive investigation of drug
trafficking in Southern West Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the cooperative investigative
efforts of several agencies, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Drug Enforcement
Administration, the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s
Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service also
provided assistance throughout the investigation.
“A drug trafficking network has been dismantled as a result
of this long-term, cooperative investigation. Along with our federal, state,
and local law enforcement partners we will continue to take down networks of
traffickers pedaling dangerous drugs in our communities,” said United States
Attorney Mike Stuart.
James Rodney Staples admitted that between August 2016 and
June 28, 2017, he took part in a drug trafficking conspiracy with multiple
participants involving the distribution of cocaine, cocaine base, also known as
“crack,” and heroin. Staples admitted
that Velarian Carter, another co-defendant in this case, requested his help in operating
the drug trafficking organization while Carter was incarcerated on other drug
charges. Staples admitted he paid other
members to assist him in distributing the controlled substances and to collect
money acquired through the illegal drug trafficking. As part of the agreement, Staples agreed to
the forfeiture of $50,000, which represented proceeds of his illegal drug
trafficking activity.
Esau Burnette admitted that between August 2016 and June 28,
2017, he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed
cocaine and more than 28 grams of cocaine base, or “crack,” in and around
Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Burnette admitted to assisting in manufacturing cocaine into “crack.” During this time he admitted to distributing
and possessing with intent to distribute approximately 20 ounces of cocaine.
Burnette further admitted that on June 28, 2017, police officers
executed a search warrant at his residence in Beckley. Officers found $2,797 in cash, and a quantity
of “crack.” Burnette admitted that the
cash was obtained through the illegal drug trafficking activity and has agreed
to forfeit the cash to the United States.
Staples faces at least 10 years and up to life, and Burnette
faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, when they are
sentenced on May 30, 2018.
Several individuals implicated as a result of this
investigation have entered guilty pleas to drug charges and are awaiting
sentencing. Cheyenne Fragale and Macon Fragale, two brothers from Boomer in
Fayette County, face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal
prison when they are sentenced on March 14, 2018. Velarian Carter, of Beckley,
faces a mandatory minimum of not less than 20 years and up to life in federal
prison when he is sentenced on April 17, 2018. Dominic Copney, of Beckley,
faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison when he
is sentenced on April 17, 2018. Detria Carter, of Beckley, faces a mandatory
minimum sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in federal prison
when she is sentenced on April 24, 2018. Donald Scalise, of Montgomery, faces
up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 25, 2018.
Tiffany Ramsey, of Boomer, faces at least five years and up to 40 years in
federal prison when she is sentenced on May 2, 2018. Shawn Akiem Anderson, of
Mt. Hope, faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May
29, 2018. Rory White, of Montgomery,
faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is
sentenced on June 6, 2018.
Karl Funderburk, of Teays Valley, who previously pled guilty
to a gun charge, faces at least 5 years and up to life in federal prison for
using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime when he is
sentenced on May 29, 2018.
Shaun Jones has entered a guilty plea to possession with
intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Jonathan Moore has entered a guilty plea to
possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Each faces
at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when they are
sentenced on May 29, 2018.
Corey Larkin previously entered a plea to conspiracy to
distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine
and more than 100 grams of heroin. He
also faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is
sentenced on June 5, 2018.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in
charge of these prosecutions. The Staples and Burnette plea hearings were held
before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.
These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing
effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of
West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies,
is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking,
eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs
in communities across the Southern District.
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