Pubdate: Wed,  3 Apr 2002
Source: Logan Banner, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002 The Logan Banner
Contact:  http://www.loganbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1640
Author: Chris Stratton

TASK FORCE GETS FORFEITED CASH

LOGAN, W.Va. -- U.S. Attorney Kasey Warner returned some forfeited drug 
money to Logan County Tuesday morning.

During a short ceremony, Warner presented a check for $23,965.06, drawn on 
the United States Treasury, to W.Va. State Police First Sergeant Jeff 
Schoolcraft who serves as the Coordinator for the U.S. 119 Task Force 
(formerly known as the Logan County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force).

The money was forfeited as a result of the federal prosecution of Laffe and 
Edith Stanley. The U.S. 119 Task Force coordinated the Stanley investigation.

In the late-summer and early-fall months of 2000, the Task Force made 
several undercover cocaine purchases, from the Stanley residence. Using 
confidential informants, Task Force officers bought approximately 68 grams 
of powder cocaine from the Stanleys.

In October 2000, Task Force officers obtained a search warrant for the 
Stanley residence in Mingo County.

When the warrant was executed, police recovered approximately 612 grams of 
cocaine. Some of the cocaine was found in jars buried in the yard.

The Task Force also seized $31,000 cash and nearly 100 firearms.

After a jury trial in July 2001, the Stanleys were found guilty of 
conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, aiding and 
abetting the distribution of cocaine and cocaine distribution.

Laffe Stanley was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, five years of 
supervised release following the prison term and a $5,000 fine. Edith 
Stanley was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison, five 
years of supervised release and a $3,000 fine. The Stanleys also forfeited 
the cash which was seized during the raid.

"When these types of cases occur, as many of you already know, federal law 
permits a forfeiture of assets that were used in the criminal enterprise 
and that's exactly what we did here." Warner explained to those gathered at 
the Troop 5, District 1, State Police Headquarters in Logan.

"There's a process in federal law that allows up to 80 percent of that 
money or other assets to be returned to local law enforcement." Warner said.

"I just want you all to know that we'll keep our focus on drugs on the 
federal side ... I've put a renewed priority, in my office, on drugs, not 
just the high-level drugs that we're expected to handle on the federal 
side, but the lower-level drugs as well."

Warner promised to "bend over backwards" in order to help local law 
enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking.

Warner said that the U.S. 119 Task Force is a, "great example of people who 
work together at the local, state and federal levels."

Officers from the Logan County Sheriff's Department, Boone County Sheriff's 
Department, West Virginia State Police, Logan City Police and other 
municipalities form the Task Force which also gets help from the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Administration.

The money will be used in Task Force operations.

On hand for the presentation were First Sergeant Jack C. Chambers, Troop 5, 
District 1 Commander, W.Va. State Police; Logan County Sheriff Johnny 
Mendez; Logan County Chief Deputy Sheriff P.D. Clemens; Logan County Deputy 
Sheriff Les Goldie; Captain Gary McGraw, Commander of the W.Va. State 
Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; First Lieutenant R.L. Richard, 
Troop 5 Executive Officer, W.Va. State Police; First Lieutenant W.R. 
Gibson, Troop 5 Logistics Officer, W.Va. State Police; Patrolman D.J. 
Mullins of the City of Logan Police Department; Logan County Prosecuting 
Attorney Brian Abraham.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens