Criminal cases from as far back as 2019 have moved through Morgan County Circuit Court to legal conclusions in recent months. Here are some of the cases that have been closed or resolved:
A Big Pool man who fled from police in a high-speed chase in September of 2022 while he was under the influence of drugs has been sentenced to 3-10 years in prison by Morgan County Circuit Judge Debra McLaughlin.
Michael L. Shrader, 29, pled guilty to fleeing from law enforcement, a felony. He drove at speeds over 80 mph on U.S. 522, River Road and Fairview Drive. When he was stopped, officers found multiple kinds of drug paraphernalia. Judge McLaughlin ordered that Shrader complete an in-prison drug treatment program.
Robert H. Long Jr., 27, of Martinsburg pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and wanton endangerment involving a firearm during a domestic incident in 2022 in which he threatened his victim and filed rounds into the ground during a dispute. The judge sentenced Long to five years in prison for the possession of firearms charge and 1-5 years in prison for wanton endangerment. Those two sentences will be served at the same time, but back-to-back with a prison sentence he is serving in a Hampshire County case. Long must also participate in an in-prison drug treatment program.
Angelique N. Stewart, 33, pled no contest to gross child neglect creating risk of bodily injury and to wanton endangerment with a firearm, all stemming from an incident in August of 2022 at the family’s residence in Paw Paw. Judge McLaughlin sentenced Stewart to 1-5 years for child neglect and five years for wanton endangerment. The sentences will be served back to back. Stewart will also be under 15 years of extended supervised release after she finishes her prison sentence.
Justin A. Brittingham, 35, of Berkeley Springs was sentenced to three years of supervised probation under a deferred adjudication sentence after pleading guilty to fraudulent schemes in Morgan County Circuit Court.
In 2022, Brittingham used a debit card belonging to a deceased in-law to make more than $35,000 worth of personal purchases. If he is successful under probation, the charges against him will be reduced to misdemeanor petit larceny. He must pay $35,000 in restitution as part of his sentence.
Michelle Troast, 37, pled guilty to DUI, third offense. She was sentenced to 2-5 years in prison, which she will serve on home confinement. Troast had previous DUI convictions in Washington County, Md. in 2022 and in Berkeley County in 2021.
Sarah M. Stiles, 43, of Berkeley Springs pled guilty to felony gross child neglect and DUI, third offense for an incident in April 2022. Stiles had been stopped for having no car registration and had two minors in the vehicle while she was intoxicated. Stiles had previously been convicted of DUI with minor in 2018 and DUI, second offense in 2020. Stiles was sentenced to 1-5 years for child neglect and 2-5 years for DUI, third offense. Those sentences will be served at the same time. Stiles must also serve five years of extended supervised release after her prison term is done.
Samuel O. Barnes, 48, of Berkeley Springs completed his deferred adjudication sentence. The felony charge he pled guilty to — conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance – has been reduced to misdemeanor possession.
Adam L. Ginevan, 47, of Paw Paw pled guilty to grand larceny and was sentenced by the judge to 1-10 years in prison for the felony. He must pay $2,334 in restitution to the owner of a truck for cutting off the vehicle’s catalytic converter in July of 2022.
Matthew Bernstein, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Md. was sentenced to 1-10 years in prison after pleading no contest to grand larceny. The judge denied his request for probation.
A Hancock man was sentenced to 2-5 years in prison after pleading guilty to DUI, third offense in a 2022 traffic incident. Kevin D. Buser, 50, was driving while impaired, and police determined him to be a habitual user of narcotics and amphetamines. He had prior convictions in Carroll County, Md. The judge recommended Buser take part in an in-prison drug treatment program.
Michelle L. Lyons, 62, of Berkeley Springs pled guilty to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and was sentenced to 1-5 years in prison for the felony charge. The judge suspended prison time for three years supervised probation, along with the requirement that Lyons attend weekly NA/AA meetings and participate in a Day Report or treatment program.
Brandon S. Orvis, 27, of Essexville, Md. was sentenced to 1-5 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver the drug in August of 2022. Prison time was suspended for three years’ probation.
Vincent C. Crabill, 32, of Hedgesville pled guilty to failure to update his sex offender registry information in 2022. He was sentenced to 1-5 years in prison for the felony. The judge denied his request for supervised probation, and recommended Crabill seek out sex offender treatment while incarcerated.
Patrick P. Snarr, 37, of Winchester, Va. was sentenced to 2-5 years on home confinement after pleading to DUI, third offense. He had prior convictions in Warren County, Va. and Fairfax County, Va.
Daryn Ginevan, 33, of Paw Paw pled guilty to arson of an insured property and was sentenced to three years in prison. The judge suspended prison time for four years of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service. In October 2022, Ginevan enlisted two individuals to burn an insured vehicle along Low Line Road in order to get the insurance money.
Tyler B. Hardt, 31, of Winchester was returned to prison to serve an original felony sentence after having his probation revoked. Hardt must now serve his original sentence of 1-5 years in prison for fleeing with reckless disregard for the safety of others and will pay a $1,000 fine. The Circuit judge recommended Hardt participate in the GOALS program in prison.
Levi N. Swaim, 26, of Berkeley Springs was returned to prison to serve his original sentence for gross child neglect creating a risk of injury in 2022. Swaim was found passed out in a vehicle with a child in a car seat in the back. He must serve 1-5 years in prison after his probation was revoked for being dismissed from Adult Drug Court.
