Feds: Justice companies shouldn’t have agreed to fine payments

August 28, 2024

Lawyers representing federal agencies contend that if coal mine companies owned by Gov. Jim Justice and his family can’t afford to pay what remains of fines for mine safety violations, then they shouldn’t have agreed to make the payments. “Defendants appear to ask the court to take them at their word, as they do not provide any evidence of their purported financial difficulties, nor have they filed for bankruptcy protection,” attorneys for federal agencies wrote in a new filing signed by Christopher Kavanaugh, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. “The ...

U.S. files complaint against logger, logging company for timber trespass on Monongahela National Forest

August 28, 2024

The United States Attorney’s Office has filed a civil lawsuit against a Randolph County logger and logging company for trespassing and cutting down approximately 10 acres of timber on the Monongahela National Forest near Slaty Fork, Pocahontas County. According to the complaint, John R. Fox and Fox Logging LLC, of Valley Bend, submitted paperwork to timber 319 acres of private property that borders the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County. Fox allegedly began logging in 2015 and continued until at least 2019. During that time, the logging operation is alleged to have ...

Man accused of 2022 sexual assault arrested by U.S. Marshals

August 28, 2024

The man accused of the 2022 sexual assault of a woman in Star City was located and arrested earlier this week by U.S. Marshals in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  Antonio Gabriel Mendez, 32, of Guatemala, was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at a restaurant in St. Claire, ...

Task force seizes crack cocaine in Westover bust

August 28, 2024

A 42-year-old Ohio man is in custody after agents of the West Virginia State Police and the Monongalia County Drug Task Force executed a search Wednesday morning at a residence in Westover.  According to a criminal complaint filed by Task Force Officer Aaron Dull, officers searched ...

Morgantown doctor pleads guilty to federal tax fraud

August 27, 2024

A Morgantown physician pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud on Monday, admitting to understating taxable income on tax returns.  According to United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld, David M. Anderson, 63, of Morgantown, caused a loss to the IRS of $143,599.  Court records ...

Man jailed after attempted High Street robbery

August 26, 2024

A Morgantown man is in jail after allegedly attempting to rob the doorman at Joe Mama’s bar and dance club on Aug. 22.  Morgantown Police were called to the scene of the attempted robbery at 345 High St. and spoke with the employee who was collecting cover charges at the door of the ...