William J. Ihlenfeld Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Ihlenfeld To Chair Washington-Baltimore Drug Trafficking Board

In 2022, the units disrupted the sale of more than $100 million of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld has been appointed chair of the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) executive board.

That board supports 43 drug task forces in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In addition to drug seizures, they also bolster treatment and prevention efforts.

In 2022, the units disrupted the sale of more than $100 million of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Ihlenfeld, the U.S. attorney for the northern district of West Virginia, said he’d work to strengthen the response to the threat of Mexican drug cartels.

Ihlenfeld previously served as chair of the Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. That includes parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

W.Va. Highways Worker Accused of Lying to Federal Agent

A federal grand jury has indicted a state Division of Highways supervisor on a charge of lying to an FBI agent during an investigation into a DOH equipment office in Buckhannon.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld on Thursday announced the indictment of 48-year-old Barry D. Thompson of Mount Clare.

Thompson, who works as a supervisor at the Buckhannon office, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Federal investigators have been looking into a state contract between an Ohio supplier and the DOH equipment office. FBI agents and West Virginia state troopers seized records and documents from the Buckhannon facility in August.

The DOH equipment office has about 90 workers. The office purchases trucks, bulldozers, excavators, lawn mowers and other equipment for highway garages statewide.

Fifteen Indicted in W.Va. on Painkiller Charges

Federal prosecutors say 15 people have been charged with distributing tens of thousands of prescription painkillers in the Ohio Valley area of West Virginia.

     U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II announced the unsealing of an 83-count indictment on Monday. It alleges the powerful painkiller oxycodone and other prescription drugs were funneled into West Virginia from northern Ohio and Detroit.

     The government identified the lead defendant as Brian Schultz, a 37-year-old Triadelphia man. He was charged with conspiracy counts involving distribution of controlled substances and interstate travel in aid of racketeering, among other charges.

     The U.S. attorney’s office says it is seeking the forfeiture of possessions owned by Schultz and a money judgment against him and others totaling $450,000.

     No one answered at a phone listing for Schultz in Triadelphia.

Wheeling shooting investigation ongoing

A press conference Thursday afternoon gave the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other authorities a chance to address concerns about a shooting that took place Wednesday at the Federal Courthouse in Wheeling.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, William J. Ihlenfeld, II, said the investigation is ongoing and that there are no major developments to report. He said the object of the press conference was to answer questions, and to reassure the public that matters are under control, and that authorities have no reason to suspect any additional dangers related to the incident.

What we know of the gunman:

Thomas J. Piccard, 55 years old of Bridgeport, OH.
Retired (2001) Wheeling police officer, with a bone to pick with the federal government
No history of mental health issues.

“Based on some preliminary findings of the investigation, it appears he was angry with the federal government. We do not think he was angry with any particular individual who worked in the federal building or any particular office,” said Ihlenfeld.

What we know about the incident:

Piccard was working alone.
Two weapons: Assault rifle with multiple magazines, and a hand gun.
18-20 shots taken only at the federal courthouse, in a random manner, around 2:30 pm, Oct 9. 2013
US Marshal Court Security Officer and Wheeling Police Officer returned fire, shooting Piccard in the leg and in the chest, fatally wounding him.
Piccard pronounced dead at a local hospital.

“It was resolved in an appropriate way and in the only way it could have been based upon the situation. The shooter had a lot of additional ammunition on his person and he didn’t get to use it all because of the actions of those who engaged with him,” said Ihlenfeld.

What we know about the investigation:

Evidence has been collected from Piccard’s trailer home in Bridgeport, OH and from his vehicle, which was parked across from the federal building.
Materials, including electronic devices, are being processed.
The investigation continues.

“The investigators worked late into the night and into the early morning hours and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home in Bridgeport, OH. A search warrant was also executed upon the suspect’s motor vehicle which was parked across the street from the Federal Building. Evidence was gathered during those searches and is being processed.”

Ihlenfeld said those searches were partially a matter of routine, and partially born out of concern for motive. He said there was concern that some kind of explosives might have been left behind.

“In addition there was some writing on the outside of the trailer that led investigators to think there might be something inside of that as well. It was written in Latin. It was translated something to the effect of ‘Beware of all who enter here.’ So there was some concern that there might be an issue and that did not turn out to be the case.”

Anyone with information should contact the FBI Pittsburgh field office: 412-432-4000.