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.