ELKINS — Five Randolph County residents are facing drug-related charges after being indicted by a federal grand jury.

• Patsy Meredith DeMary, of Beverly, and Scott Jackson Hamrick, of Elkins, were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Elkins on Feb. 20 on drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

DeMary, age 41, had her initial appearance in federal court Monday. DeMary was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Hamrick, also known as “Basic,” age 38, was named in the same indictment, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

DeMary and Hamrick are accused of conspiring with one another to distribute methamphetamine in Randolph County in the spring of 2017.

DeMary and Hamrick each face at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the conspiracy count, up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the distribution count, and at least five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

• Jonathan Allen Mowery, of Harman, was arraigned Monday after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Elkins on Feb. 20.

Mowery, age 36, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of firearm.

Mowery is accused of distributing methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” in March 2017 in Randolph County. He is also accused of illegally possessing a 9mm caliber pistol.

Mowery faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug count and faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and the Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program.

• Eric Allen Harris, of Beverly, was arraigned Monday after being indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Elkins on Feb. 20 on drug distribution charges.

Harris, age 38, was indicted on two counts of “Distribution of Methamphetamine” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Harris is accused of distributing methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” in April, May, and September 2018 in Randolph County.

Harris faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million for each count.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program.

• Julie Ann Cutright, of Elkins, was arraigned Monday after being indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Elkins on Feb. 20.

Cutright, age 33, was indicted on one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises. Cutright is accused of maintaining a home at 113 Riverview Drive in Elkins that was used for distributing methamphetamine, also known as “ice” from October 2017 to November 2017.

Cutright faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over all these cases.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.