Elkins Drug Ring Busted: Workman Faces Machine Gun Rap

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A long-running drug operation in the Elkins area has been dismantled with the arrest of four men, federal authorities announced today. The bust, spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, exposes a network allegedly dealing in marijuana and oxycodone, with one defendant accused of using drug money to fund a lavish lifestyle and illegally possessing a machine gun.

Chad Allen Workman, 37, of Beverly, West Virginia, stands at the center of the indictment. He, along with Charles Shawn Shannon, 54, of Belington, West Virginia, Roy Melvin Isner, 62, and Mark W. Lambert, 39, both of Elkins, are accused of operating an “extensive and long-term” drug trafficking ring within the Northern District of West Virginia. According to the indictment, Workman allegedly funneled illicit profits into vehicles, real estate, and personal vacations – a clear display of profiting from poison.

All four defendants face a charge of “Marijuana Conspiracy,” carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. But Workman’s legal troubles don’t end there. He’s additionally charged with “Money Laundering” (up to 20 years and $500,000.00 fine), “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises” (up to 20 years and $500,000.00 fine), “Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana” (up to five years and $250,000.00 fine), the serious charge of “Possession of an Unregistered Machine Gun” (up to five years and $250,000.00 fine), and “Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful Drug User” (up to 10 years and $250,000.00 fine). Lambert is facing four counts of “Distribution of Marijuana” and one count of “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises,” potentially adding up to 25 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines. Isner is also charged with maintaining drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and the more serious charge of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, which could lead to 20 years and a $1,000,000.00 fine.

Shannon is facing two counts of “Distribution of Marijuana,” with each count carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. This isn’t an isolated incident, either. Federal authorities point to a pattern of drug trafficking in the region, noting the recent sentencing of Chad Frederick Arbogast, 36, of Belington, to 46 months for oxycodone distribution in Barbour County, and Chad Preston, 35, of Coalton, receiving three years probation for trafficking in Elkins.

The indictment further reveals connections to a larger operation dating back to December 2014, when four individuals were charged with procuring oxycodone from out-of-state sources. Jonathan Paul Calain, 37, of Elkins, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and faces up to 20 years. Matthew L. Cordero, 32, of Vineland, New Jersey, and Gregory Stephen Scott, 34, of Beverly, also pled guilty to oxycodone-related offenses, each facing up to 20 years. Stevie Lea Sharp, 28, of Coalton, was also implicated in the earlier scheme.

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, stressed that the sentencing will be determined by the seriousness of the crimes and the defendant’s criminal history. But one thing is clear: this bust is a significant blow to the drug trade in Northern West Virginia, and a warning that federal authorities are actively targeting those who profit from addiction and endanger communities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.