A federal grand jury sitting in Elkins handed up a 65-count indictment naming eight people with drug-related charges this week.
Those indicted include: Christopher M. Arbogast, 20, of Tallmansville; Richard T. Oldaker, 54, of Buckhannon; Tomas A. Carson, 27, of Buckhannon; Alexis R. Tennant, 25, of Buckhannon; Richard A. Jarrett, 42, of Buckhannon; Roger G. Gooden II, 25, of Tallmansville; Brittany H. Esquer, 21, of Tallmansville; and Donna J. Beatty, 46, of Buckhannon
Count one alleges that the eight conspired to manufacture, possess with the intent to distribute and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from April to September.
Arbogast also is named in one count charging him with possesion of material used in the manufacture of methampetamine on Sept. 20; six counts charging him with possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 16, May 22, May 31, June 9, June 14 and July 5; and one count charging him with the distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 11.
Oldaker also is named in one count charging him with maintaining a drug-involved premise from April to September; one count charging him with possession of material used in the manufacture of methamphetamine on Sept. 20; and three counts charging him with possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 10, Aug. 16 and Sept. 10.
Carson is named in 14 counts charging him with possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 8, April 16, April 29, May 22, May 26, May 31, June 23, June 27, July 21, Aug. 5, Aug. 16, Aug. 19, Aug. 29 and Sept. 3; and one count charging him with the distribution of methamphetamine on Sept. 17.
Tennant is named in six counts charging her with possesion of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 8, April 16, April 29, May 23, May 26 and June 23.
Jarrett also is named in 15 counts charging him with the possesion of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 16, May 22, June 4, June 6, June 13, June 14, June 24, July 4, July 12, July 14, July 27, Aug. 4, Aug. 19, Aug. 26 and Sept. 3.
Gooden also is named in two counts of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on April 10 and Sept. 6.
Esquer also is named in five counts of charges of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on June 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 18, Aug. 20 and Sept. 2.
Beatty also is named in eight counts charging her with the possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine on June 4, June 6, June 9, July 4, July 6, July 18, July 22 and Aug. 24.
Jarrett appeared before Magistrate Kaull on Dec. 19 and was released on bond pending arraignments on Dec. 29.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 5 to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2 million on the conspiracy charge, 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 on the maintaining a drug-involved premise charge; 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on the possession of materials charges; 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on the possession of pseudoephedrine charges; and 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1 million on the distribution charges.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. attorney Stephen D. Warner and was investigated by the Upshur County Sheriff's Department.
