Local Law Enforcement and Community Representatives Recognized by U.S. Attorney
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WHEELING -- U.S. Attorney Bill Powell recognized nine law enforcement and community representatives Thursday for going "above and beyond" in their work to protect the local area and national security.
During a nearly 30-minute ceremony held in U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David L. Bissett's courtroom at the federal courthouse, Powell spoke to local, state and federal law enforcement leaders from throughout West Virginia while recognizing the award recipients.
Powell recognized the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI Special Agent Matthew Berthinet, IRS Special Agent Tami Devericks, West Virginia Special Commission on Special Investigations Investigator Jeff Shriner, State Police Sgt. J.W. Smith, FBI Forfeiture Specialist Amy Boyd, U.S. Postal Inspector Lindsay Weckerly, the Ziegenfelder Frozen Treat Co., and state Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator Wuela Heceta for their contributions to create safer communities.
Powell said the U.S. Attorney awards are bestowed annually to acknowledge those who do "extra special things" to make the community safer, or an individual or business that does something to support the mission of the U.S. Attorney Office.
"It is my great honor to recognize those in our community who go above and beyond to protect our children, our community and our national security. While this year has created some unique challenges, it hasn't thwarted efforts to protect and serve our neighbors," Powell said. "Those honored today never seek recognition, but it is important to let the public know about the accomplishments of our law enforcement and community members. I thank each and every one of them for their continued service."
The U.S. Marshals Service was recognized for exemplary service in the Northern District of West Virginia. According to Powell, the marshals consistently face danger as they make arrests in federal criminal cases and are always helping with community outreach. The U.S. Marshals received the Outstanding Contribution Award.
Berthinet, Devericks, Shriner and Smith received the Outstanding Investigative Effort Award for their work in the case of U.S. v. Harry Radcliffe, et al. The 14-month, four-agency investigation involved the relationship between Ohio County Magistrate Harry A. Radcliffe and W&S Bail Bonding, dba A Bail Bonding by ABC, owned by William W. Seelbach, and for which his then-girlfriend, Jolynn Gilchrist, worked as a bonding agent, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The investigation included about 65 subpoenas, 25 witnesses, and 125 interviews. It uncovered a three-year bribery/kickback scheme (2013-15), involving approximately $22,000 of cash payments from Seelbach to Radcliffe — income that he did not report to the IRS. Radcliffe and Seelbach both pleaded guilty to Klein conspiracy offenses arising from these payments. Radcliffe was sentenced to four months in prison and also resigned.
Boyd and the Forfeiture Unit in Pittsburgh oversees the FBI forfeitures in this district. They review search and seizure documents routinely to locate assets that would be part of an investigation, well in advance of the time of indictment, to ensure that all property subject to indictment is accounted for in the forfeiture phase of the case. It is the only agency willing to forfeit, upon request, amounts under $5,000 so that drug proceeds aren't returned to defendants. Boyd recieved the Outstanding Forfeiture Investigations Award.
In U.S. v. James Joseph Michaels, Weckerly and her team interdicted a parcel full of narcotics bound for Wellsburg. The agents located firearms that led to indictment of the defendant. Without Weckerly's testimony, the case might not have ended with a guilty plea, according to Powell. Michaels pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation. Weckerly received the Outstanding Investigative Effort Award.
Powell also presented Ziegenfelder representatives with an award for giving people in the community a second chance by hiring those with criminal records.
"Those kinds of things are equally important to us in addition to the prosecution work we obviously do," Powell said.
Media were not permitted to attend the ceremony, but Powell spoke after the event outside with local media representatives. Other ceremonies are also being held in Martinsburg and Clarksburg to honor more recipients of the U.S. Attorney Awards.