Pubdate: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 Source: Beckley Register-Herald (WV) Copyright: 2002 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd86 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: Joe Myers Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) GREENBRIER DRUG UNIT GETS RESULTS LEWISBURG -- An undercover drug and violent crimes task force set up seven months ago is producing good results, Greenbrier County Prosecutor Kevin Hanson said. The task force was initiated last July to curtail drug activity in the county, Hanson said. It includes members of the sheriff's department, State Police and Lewisburg Police Department. As a result of undercover work by the task force, 11 drug dealers have been indicted for selling cocaine and other illegal drugs, he said. In addition, task force members participated in the investigation of one murder and the recent capture in Greenbrier County of Randy Thornton, who was wanted for allegedly shooting at police officers in Charleston, he said. "It was a laborious task to put this task force together and to get it operational," Hanson said. "Sheriff Albert Lindsey, Chief Tim Stover of the Lewisburg Police Department and Capt. Gary McGraw and Capt. Rick Hall of the West Virginia State Police ... were able to sit down over the course of several meetings and develop a plan and agreement that created the task force. Everyone worked diligently together to create this task force. After the agreement and concept were developed, it took a great deal of effort and sacrifice on the part of each department to make this task force operational." Since last year, his office has filed forfeiture actions on three automobiles and $69,502 in cash and property confiscated in drug deals, he noted. Hanson said his office has provided crime scene processing equipment to the task force. Individuals indicted on various drug charges Wednesday were Frank Godfrey Jr., Sheila R. Tolliver, Roland Tolliver, Fawn Carrie Scott, Michael Edward Bennett, Michael Dewain Reeder, Carlos R. Jeter, Jennifer Lynn Hersman and Michael S. McCormick, according to court records. Additional indictments are expected in federal court, Hanson said. Task force members are available 24 hours a day, he said. Residents with information about illegal drug activity or violent crimes are encouraged to call the task force at 647-4856. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl