fbpx
Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 1:33 AM
Lootpress
  • News
    • All
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Oceana Founders Day and Heritage Festival dates announced

    Photo: Meadow Bridge Public Library

    Meadow Bridge Public Library to close permanently

    Ascential Buildings cuts ribbon at Mount Hope location

    Man arrested after cutting palm of girlfriend’s hand with box cutter

    Raleigh County Man Sentenced to Prison Federal Drug Crime

    Man arrested after hitting step-daughter in face with a book

    Taskforce drug search leads to four arrests

    First responders honored at Public Safety Ceremony

    Beckley City Council will consider ‘emergency purchase’ of six police vehicles in upcoming meeting

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Why executions by firing squad may be coming back in the US

      Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov’t workers

      Rep. Carol Miller Introduces Amendment to H.R. 1 to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline

      GM to stop making the Camaro but a successor may be in works

      Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute

      Def Leppard drummer recovering from attack outside hotel

      Crash Team Rumble Spins Onto Consoles June 20

      2 escape jail and go to IHOP, where patrons report them

      FILE - A Venus fly trap grows naturally in a Carolina Bay at Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Conway, S.C., Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005. Conservationists want South Carolina to make the Venus fly trap the state's official carnivorous plant, joining other official items such as the state bird (Carolina Wren), state hospitality beverage (tea) and the state picnic cuisine (barbecue). (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)

      Snap! Venus fly trap fans ask South Carolina to honor plant

    • Politics

      Biden approval dips near lowest point: AP-NORC poll

      Rep. Carol Miller Introduces Amendment to H.R. 1 to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline

      Saudi Arabia frees American imprisoned over critical tweets

      West Virginia Nate Cain announces candidacy for United States Congress

      Mayor of Pineville resigns to pursue career as warehouse manager

      Biden issues first veto, defending Labor Dept. ‘ESG’ rule

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Some Trump rivals rally to his side as possible charges loom

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

    • State
      Photo: Meadow Bridge Public Library

      Meadow Bridge Public Library to close permanently

      Man arrested after cutting palm of girlfriend’s hand with box cutter

      Man arrested after hitting step-daughter in face with a book

      Taskforce drug search leads to four arrests

      First responders honored at Public Safety Ceremony

      Temporary TSA PreCheck® application center set for April 17 to 21 inside West Virginia International Yeager Airport

      Fairmont State University Community Arts program announces Spring 2023 schedule

      Capito Announces Over $1 Million in ARC Grants for West Virginia

      WVDOT extends condolences to those killed in Maryland work zone crash, asks public to pay attention in work zones

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Oceana Founders Day and Heritage Festival dates announced

    Photo: Meadow Bridge Public Library

    Meadow Bridge Public Library to close permanently

    Ascential Buildings cuts ribbon at Mount Hope location

    Man arrested after cutting palm of girlfriend’s hand with box cutter

    Raleigh County Man Sentenced to Prison Federal Drug Crime

    Man arrested after hitting step-daughter in face with a book

    Taskforce drug search leads to four arrests

    First responders honored at Public Safety Ceremony

    Beckley City Council will consider ‘emergency purchase’ of six police vehicles in upcoming meeting

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Why executions by firing squad may be coming back in the US

      Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov’t workers

      Rep. Carol Miller Introduces Amendment to H.R. 1 to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline

      GM to stop making the Camaro but a successor may be in works

      Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute

      Def Leppard drummer recovering from attack outside hotel

      Crash Team Rumble Spins Onto Consoles June 20

      2 escape jail and go to IHOP, where patrons report them

      FILE - A Venus fly trap grows naturally in a Carolina Bay at Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Conway, S.C., Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005. Conservationists want South Carolina to make the Venus fly trap the state's official carnivorous plant, joining other official items such as the state bird (Carolina Wren), state hospitality beverage (tea) and the state picnic cuisine (barbecue). (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)

      Snap! Venus fly trap fans ask South Carolina to honor plant

    • Politics

      Biden approval dips near lowest point: AP-NORC poll

      Rep. Carol Miller Introduces Amendment to H.R. 1 to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline

      Saudi Arabia frees American imprisoned over critical tweets

      West Virginia Nate Cain announces candidacy for United States Congress

      Mayor of Pineville resigns to pursue career as warehouse manager

      Biden issues first veto, defending Labor Dept. ‘ESG’ rule

      Sen. Mike Stuart eyes statewide run

      Some Trump rivals rally to his side as possible charges loom

      FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) listens during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Michael Regan's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Brandon Bell/Pool/File Photo

      Members of West Virginia Delegation Stand Up for Domestic Hardwood Plywood Producers

    • State
      Photo: Meadow Bridge Public Library

      Meadow Bridge Public Library to close permanently

      Man arrested after cutting palm of girlfriend’s hand with box cutter

      Man arrested after hitting step-daughter in face with a book

      Taskforce drug search leads to four arrests

      First responders honored at Public Safety Ceremony

      Temporary TSA PreCheck® application center set for April 17 to 21 inside West Virginia International Yeager Airport

      Fairmont State University Community Arts program announces Spring 2023 schedule

      Capito Announces Over $1 Million in ARC Grants for West Virginia

      WVDOT extends condolences to those killed in Maryland work zone crash, asks public to pay attention in work zones

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Lootpress
No Result
View All Result

Martinsburg Federal Grand Jury indicts four in kidnapping and murder case

Gailyn Markham by Gailyn Markham
Thursday, February 18, 2021 1:42 pm

MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Four Maryland residents are facing charges involving kidnapping and murder, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

The 9-count indictment involves a kidnapping and murder, as well as the murder of two witnesses. Those indicted are:

•    Monroe Merrell, 23, of Westminster, Maryland
•    David Ray Sanford, Jr., 26, of Westminster, Maryland
•    John Westley Black, III, 23, of Westminster, Maryland
•    Jeffrey Craig Smith, Jr., 23, of Taneytown, Maryland

“This is one of the most heinous crimes I’ve seen, where three people lost their lives for what appears to have begun as a $40 debt. These crimes will be aggressively prosecuted.  We owe that to the families of the victims and the citizens who count on us to do so.  I want to thank the prosecutors in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, the Carroll County Maryland States Attorney’s office, the multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and my office’s prosecution team who tirelessly worked to bring the indictment before the federal grand jury.  I am confident that this exceptional group effort will result in a just conclusion of this tragic case,” said Powell.

Jeffrey Craig Smith, Jr., 23, of Taneytown, Maryland

Merrell, Sanford, and Black are each facing one count of “Aiding and Abetting Kidnapping Resulting in Death,” one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Corrupt Destruction of Object” involving the kidnapping and murder of J.R. in March 2020 in Jefferson County. Smith is charged with one count of “Accessory After the Fact” for allegedly assisting Merrell and Sanford, after the kidnapping and murder occurred.

John Westley Black, III, 23, of Westminster, Maryland

Merrell, Sanford, and Smith are each facing one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with a Witness Causing Death” and two counts of “Aiding and Abetting Tampering with a Witness Causing Death” involving the murders of D.T. and H.G. who were witnesses of crimes against J.R. The murders occurred in April 2020 in Berkeley County.

David Sanford

David Ray Sanford, Jr., 26, of Westminster, Maryland

Merrell and Sanford are also each facing one count of “Aiding and Abetting Intimidation of a Witness by Threats.” Merrell is facing one count of “Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence.”

Monroe Merrell, 23, of Westminster, Maryland

“These indictments demonstrate the continuing commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement officials to work together to combat violent crime in the Martinsburg area,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. “The deaths of three people were a tragic occurrence, and I’m glad the collaborative effort put forth by all agencies has resulted in these charges. The kidnapping and murder allegations in this complaint reveal an indifference to human life that will not be tolerated.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberley D. Crockett and Jeffrey A. Finucane are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Berkeley and Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorneys’ Offices. investigated.

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

ShareTweetSend
Gailyn Markham

Gailyn Markham

Gailyn Markham is a multimedia journalist for Lootpress. She joined the Lootpress staff in November of 2020. Gailyn graduated from Concord University in May of 2019 with a BA in English Journalism and a minor in Sociology. During her time there, she was a staff writer for the school’s newspaper, “The Concordian,” and received the 2019 Outstanding Journalist Award for her work. Before joining the Lootpress team, Gailyn interned for The Register-Herald and, upon completing her internship, was asked to continue working as a freelance writer. She freelanced for the newspaper for two years. A West Virginia native, Gailyn has always been devoted to telling the stories of the Mountain State. When she isn’t working, she enjoys taking advantage of West Virginia’s many outdoor adventures, reading, and renovating her home with her husband, Chris. For news tips or story ideas, email Gailyn at gailynmarkham@lootpress.com. You can also follow her on Facebook.

Don't Miss

Local

Oceana Founders Day and Heritage Festival dates announced

10 hours ago
Photo: Meadow Bridge Public Library
Featured

Meadow Bridge Public Library to close permanently

12 hours ago
Local

Ascential Buildings cuts ribbon at Mount Hope location

12 hours ago

Sign up for our weekly email recap of the week's top stories and be entered to win a $25 Visa gift card weekly.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thank you for choosing Lootpress as your news source.

Top Stories

  • All
  • News

Choose the Community Choice Boys Player of the Year!

March 17, 2023

Gallery: Greenbrier East soccer team receives championship rings

March 23, 2023

Prep Football: Hard-working Shiflett realizes college football dream

March 23, 2023
Photo by Tina Laney

Prep Softball Roundup: Wyoming East, Shady and Bluefield earn victories

March 23, 2023
Tony and Elizabeth Reese are two of the three individuals charged in the investigation

Three charged for abusing 11-year-old with stun gun, belt beatings, sleep deprivation

March 23, 2023
Load More

Community Calendar

Recent News

Photo by Heather Belcher

Girls Basketball: Wheeling Park sophomore Alexis Bordas earns Mary Ostrowski Award

March 25, 2023

Prep Basketball: James Monroe’s Eli Allen earns Evans Award

March 25, 2023
Graphic by Heather Belcher

Prep Basketball: Shady’s Braden Chapman repeats as Lootpress Defensive Player of the Year

March 24, 2023

Lootpress brings you the latest news in Southern West Virginia and around.

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Recent News

Photo by Heather Belcher

Girls Basketball: Wheeling Park sophomore Alexis Bordas earns Mary Ostrowski Award

March 25, 2023

Prep Basketball: James Monroe’s Eli Allen earns Evans Award

March 25, 2023
  • About
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
    • Politics
    • State
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
  • Community Calendar

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist