Execution of Search-Seizure and Arrest Warrants

Today culminates a three (3) month investigation into the alleged distribution of
illicit drugs within the City of Martinsburg. Early this morning beginning at
approximately 6:30 A.M., approximately forty (40) City of Martinsburg police officers served four (4) search and seizure warrants at locations within the city. Thereafter, these officers executed arrest warrants for numerous suspects that were located within the City of Martinsburg or in the confines of Berkeley County. Several of those arrested were located at the premises where search and seizure warrants were executed.

Listed hereafter is particular information related to the investigation:

A search warrant was executed at 222 North Maple Avenue utilizing the Special Response Team and other members of the police department. The search warrant was issued by State Magistrate Joan Bragg following a controlled purchase of narcotics from the residence. Arrested from the residence was Patrick Reeves (aka “Snuggles”), age 20, of 321 West Race Street, Apartment D, Martinsburg WV, who was charged on a Delivery of a Controlled Substance warrant.

A second search warrant was executed at 321 West Race Street, Apartment D, utilizing the Special Response Team and members of the Martinsburg Police Department. The search warrant was issued by State Magistrate Joan Bragg following a controlled purchase of narcotics from the residence. Arrested was Kyle Reeves, age 22, of the same residence on a Delivery of an Imitation Controlled Substance warrant. Also located in this residence was Carlton Spearman, age 24 of the same address, who was arrested and charged with three (3) counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance due to a quantity of marijuana, 14 grams of crack cocaine and a quantity of prescription medication being located.

A third search warrant was executed at 215 South Raleigh Street by members of the Martinsburg Police Department. The search warrant was issued by State Magistrate Joan Bragg following a controlled purchase of narcotics from this residence. Arrested from this residence was Wilorver Bankhead II (aka “Chillwill”), age 47, of the same address, for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Various paraphernalia items were seized from the residence.

A fourth search warrant was executed at 535 West Stephen Street by members of the Martinsburg Police Department. The search warrant was issued by State Magistrate Joan Bragg following a controlled purchase of narcotics from this residence. Officers seized various paraphernalia items and a small amount of marijuana at this location. No arrests occurred as a result of the search seizure warrant.

The following suspects were arrested at additional locations this date as a result of this three (3) month investigation:

Edward McDonough (aka “Tattoo”), age 36, arrested at 528 West Martin and of the same address for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Mark Kennedy, age 48, arrested at 603 South Raleigh Street and of the same address for Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Terrell Jones, (aka “Papers”) age 25, arrested at 150 Georgetown Square and of the same address for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Eric Fisher, (aka “E”) age 26, arrested at 501 West King Street, Apartment 4 and of the same address for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Aaron Hairston, (aka “X”) age 21, arrested at 903 Colonial Village and of the same address for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

James Alston, age 41, arrested at 20 Brigadier Circle and of the same address for 2 counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Kenneth Hunter, age 34, arrested at the Martinsburg Police Department and residing at 306 Tanbridge Drive for Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Angel Hunter, age 20, arrested at the Martinsburg Police Department and residing at 306 Tanbridge Drive for Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Matthew Quinn Mason, (aka “Q”) age 20, was arrested at the Eastern Regional Jail for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Mason is currently incarcerated for a variety of charges.

Additionally on this date, officers from the Martinsburg Police Department arrested Marcus Dontea Monchery, age 21, residing at 311 North Maple Avenue on a federal arrest warrant (drug charge) issued for his arrest. Martinsburg police officers contacted the United States Marshals Service and were able to confirm the warrant for Monchery’s arrest. Custody of this individual was remanded to the U.S. Marshalls Service.

As a result of this investigation, the Martinsburg Police Department made 15 felony drug arrests, 1 misdemeanor drug arrest and 1 federal arrest.

The Martinsburg Police Department is seeking the publics’ cooperation in locating four (4) additional defendants pertaining to this investigation.

The police department has in its possession felony warrants for each of these individuals:

William Lee Anderson, age 33, last known address of Walkersville, MD

Ashley Dawn King, (aka “A”) age 24, last known address in the Martinsburg, WV area

D’Angelo Alston, (aka “D”) age 21, last known address in the Martinsburg, WV area (ARRESTED SAME DAY) Delivery of Controlled Substance

Samuel Lee Rose Jr., age 27, last known address in the Martinsburg, WV area

The Martinsburg Police Department wishes to thank those members of the Martinsburg community who assisted investigators and officers in this investigation. We realize it takes a cooperative effort between citizens, local government and the police to address these issues and concerns.

To that end, the Martinsburg Police Department places a priority on intervening and addressing illicit drug distribution and possession. We realize the serious consequences of these criminal acts, such as health and social costs, domestic violence, increased rates of larceny and other violent crimes.

As an example, in calendar year 2007, the Martinsburg Police Department made 313 adult illicit drug arrests. These include 74 felony arrests for either delivery, intent to deliver or conspiracy to deliver controlled substances. During this same period, the police department made 239 adult misdemeanor arrests. Another 39 juvenile drug arrests were recorded in 2007.

These statistics do not reflect drug cases investigated by the Martinsburg Police Department that are prosecuted through the United States District Court (federal) system. Nor do they include cases wherein the Martinsburg Police Department worked cooperatively with the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and where cases were prosecuted through the federal court system. Just alone for calendar year 2007, the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent CrimeTask Force presented to the U.S. District Court, 277 felony indictments, involving a total of 84 defendants.

Checkpoint Results

On Saturday, 05-24-08, the Martinsburg Police Department conducted a seatbelt checkpoint in conjunction with the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign. During the checkpoint officers contacted 865 vehicles and issued 21 citations and 1 written warning along with numerous verbal warnings. 5 seatbelt violations, 2 child safety seat violations, and other traffic violation citations were issued.

Seat Belt Checkpoint

The Martinsburg Police Department would like to inform you of some important information relating to your safety. In the year 2006 nearly 43,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Over 30% of those killed were not restrained by a seatbelt. Over 15,000 lives were saved by seatbelts during 2006. For individuals between the ages of 2 and 34 motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death. The Martinsburg Police Department would like to remind everyone to wear their seatbelts. It may save your life one day. In an effort to remind everyone to wear their seatbelts we will be conducting a Seatbelt Check point on Saturday, May 24, 2008 between 12 o’clock noon and 4 o’clock pm in the 200 block of W Moler Ave. This is in conjunction with law enforcement agencies nationwide for the National Click It or Ticket mobilization.

Malicious Wounding

Martinsburg Police arrested a 43 year-old Martinsburg man on a felony charge of Malicious Wounding after he stabbed his girlfriend during the course of a domestic altercation.

James McKermick Brown, of East Martin Street, was arrested after Officers received a 911 call initially reported as a domestic argument at a residence in the 300 block of East Martin Street. The investigation revealed Brown and his girlfriend became involved in an argument. The two went for a walk to calm down, but continued to argue. As they were reentering the residence the female pushed the door open as Brown was apparently trying to open it, causing him to almost fall. At some point in the argument, Brown grabbed the 39 year-old female around the throat and began to choke her. The incident was witnessed by the woman’s 17 year-old son. The boy attempted to intervene, but was told by his mother to go back downstairs. After doing so the son heard a thump on the floor and went back upstairs to see what it was. The boy then found his mother with a knife protruding from her mid torso. The upstairs neighbor came down to check on everyone, at which time, the victim’s son had her call 911. Evidence to corroborate the reported information was found at the scene including the alleged weapon, a dagger with a six inch blade.

Brown was transported to the Police Department, processed and taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a Berkeley County Magistrate. The victim was treated at the scene by Martinsburg Fire Department personnel for a minor injury. The case was investigated by Officer S.A.Spiker


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Foot Pursuit / Arrest

Martinsburg Police arrested a 21 year-old Martinsburg man following a foot pursuit at about 3:30 a.m. Friday. Chad Michael Spaur, of North Third Street, was arrested in the 300 block of West Burke Street after running from an Officer in the O’Henry Street area.

Officer D. P. North observed two males run in an attempt to elude police. Officer J. L. Harper, Sgt. L. G. Witt and Lt. John Sherman assisted in attempting to locate the individuals. Lt. Sherman located one of the suspects in an alleyway to the rear of the 400 block of West King Street. The individual again ran, onto private property, and was apprehended by Officers Harper and North in an area to the rear of the 300 block of West Burke Street. After a brief struggle Spaur was taken into custody and approximately four grams of marijuana which had been thrown by the suspect was found.

Spaur was transported to the Police Department, processed and taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment by a Berkeley County Magistrate on charges of Fleeing from Police, Resisting Arrest, Assault on an Officer, Possession of Marijuana and Trespassing.

Home Invasion Burglary

The Martinsburg Police Department is actively investigating a home invasion type burglary which occurred on Monday, May 5th 2008 at 3:30 AM.

This burglary occurred at a residence located in the 400 block of South Georgia Ave. Martinsburg WV. The suspects broke into the residence and accosted both residents. A struggled occurred between the suspects and one of the victims who was struck with a blunt object or possibly the butt of a pistol to the face and also punched and kicked.

The suspects are described as three (3) males all dressed in black clothing. The suspects entered the residence by kicking in the back door and then encountering the residents.

The suspects were armed and a loaded magazine from one of the weapons was located at the scene. Other items of evidence were collected by the police.

Anyone with information regarding this burglary or the identity of the suspects is urged to call the Martinsburg Police Department at 304 264 2100 and / or Berkeley County Crime Solvers at 304 267 4999.

Armed Robbery

The Martinsburg Police dept is investigating an Armed Robbery which occurred at Petersons Car Wash on Winchester Ave Martinsburg WV on May 12, 2008 at 2:20PM

The employee stated that a black male, approximate age of 25-30 years old, app 6ft tall, a small moustache, wearing baggy blue jeans and a black hoodie came into the business asking for change. The employee was complying with the request when the male pulled out a black handgun pointed it at the employee and demanded the rest of the cash in the register. The employee gave the male the cash in the register and he fled from the business heading south on Winchester Ave on foot

The Berkeley County Sheriffs Office K-9 was contacted and responded and tracked the suspect to the area of the Martinsburg Mall.

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken.

Anyone having information please contact the Martinsburg Police Dept at 304 264 2100