The Times West Virginian

Local News

May 23, 2009

Drug cases resolved in federal court

By Katie Wilson

CLARKSBURG — Four individuals facing federal charges were in court last week according to federal court documents.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter’s office released information regarding three cases of local significance.

According to the attorney’s office, an Indiana man and a West Virginia woman were convicted of federal drug charges on May 14 by a federal trial jury in U.S. District Court before Judge Irene M. Keeley.

Steven C. Green, 38, of Marion, Ind., and Cheryl L. Goff, 44, of Fairmont, were both convicted on charges contained in an indictment after a three-day trial. They were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base beginning in September 2008 and continuing to Oct. 9, 2008 in Fairmont. Goff was convicted of maintaining a drug-involved premises from September 2008 to October 2008 in Fairmont.

According to evidence presented at trial, Green came to Fairmont for the purpose of dealing “crack” cocaine with two of his cousins. Goff agreed to allow Green and his cousins to sell “crack” out of Goff’s house in Fairmont. In return, Green provided “cack” to Goff for her personal use.

Green and Goff are currently free on bond pending sentencing.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2 million on the conspiracy charge. Goff faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 for maintaining a drug-involved premises.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar and was investigated by the Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

In a separate case, another Fairmont resident entered a guilty plea on May 11 on a drug charge.

Vicki Lynn Dearing, 47, of Fairmont, entered a plea of guilty to one count of an indictment charging her with the distribution of “crack” cocaine on Jan. 2, 2009 in Marion County. Dearing, who was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley and was investigated by the Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

Finally, a Shinnston resident was sentenced on a tax charge.

John Michael Harnett, 64, of Shinnston, was sentenced on May 14 to 60 days imprisonment and a fine of $100,000. The sentence was handed down by Judge Keeley.

Harnett entered a plea of guilty in January 2009 to an information charging him with attempting to evade the payment of trust fund tax liabilities in the amount of $173,578.25 from July 10, 2003 to Jan. 8, 2008.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Angus Morgan and was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.

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