Friday, July 13, 2012
EXTRA ONLINE EDITION
PUTNAM COUNTY FAIR SECTION PAGES 9-16
Utah man pleads guilty to mortgage fraud STAFF REPORT WINFIELD -- A Utah man has pleaded guilty in federal court for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme linked to properties at a Putnam County subdivision. Raymond Paul Morris, 51, of South Weber, Utah, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud in federal court on Thursday, July 12. Morris admitted to participating in the sophisticated multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme in early 2006 along with co-conspirators Deborah L. Joyce, 38, of Hurricane, and Michael Hurd, 37, of Utah. The mortgage fraud scheme based on properties in the Stonegate subdivision involved illegal property “flipping” to outof-state borrowers at inflated prices using a company called “The Gift Program” or “Advanced Capital Services” that was operated at the time by coconspirator Hurd. Hurd described “The Gift Program” as a “seller funded down payment assistance program” used to provide home buyer’s money to make down payment and initial mortgage payments on real estate purchases. Hurd further admitted that he used The Gift Program to create an elaborate scheme to defraud lenders by concealing the transfer of loan funds to the borrower from the lender. SEE PLEA ON PAGE 3
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The James E. Marshall WV Post 187 of the American Legion recently gave a presentation on the history of the flags of the nation. From left to right are Kenny Bright (holding the present flag of the United States), Clem Pemberton (holding the West Virginia flag of 35 stars), Curtis Grant (holding the Star-Spangled Banner of 1814), Danny Johnson (holding the Betsy Ross flag), Bob Allen (holding the Grand Union flag), Arnie Harrison (holding the Queen Anne flag), and Dan Chandler.
American Legion presents history of the flag TEAYS VALLEY – The Putnam Rotary Club received a special lesson at its July 10 meeting in the history of the American flag from a special color guard from the American Legion's James E. Marshall Post 187 of Winfield and narrator Command Chief Master Sergeant Dan Chandler.
"The flag has always been a symbol of loyalty and pride," Chandler said. "When we see the flag, we see the nation itself." As Chandler reviewed the story of the flag, the Winfield veterans displayed some of the flags flying over American soil
since colonial days. Arnie Harrison posted the Queen Anne flag, the British red ensign which served from 1707 to the time of the American Revolution. The blue union in the upper left corner displayed the crosses of the British Union Jack, the cross of
St. George for England and St. Andrew's cross for Scotland. In the early days of the American Revolution, the red field of the Queen Anne flag was divided into seven red and six white stripes representing the SEE FLAG ON PAGE 4
Putnam grand jury hands down indictments WINFIELD -- Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney, Mark A. Sorsaia, reports that 44 indictments were returned on July 11 by the July 2012 Term of the Putnam County Grand Jury alleging 50 persons committed 141 felonies and 20 misdemeanors. The following is the date of birth, last known address, and offenses for which they were indicted. • Anthony D. Atkins,
07/10/75, Route 2, Box 251-4, St. Albans, WV – attempt to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, conspiracy to attempt to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, possession of a substance containing ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury and person prohib-
ited from possessing a firearm • Bridgette D. Atkins, 01/26/77, 321 Vine Street W., St. Albans, WV – possession of a controlled substance, attempt to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, conspiracy to attempt to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, and possession of a substance containing ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine and gross neglect of a child creating a substantial
risk of serious bodily injury • Sean J. Sampson-Audorff, 05/21/91, 632 Cross Lanes Drive, Nitro, WV – daytime burglary and grand larceny • David L. Bailey, 08/23/86, 24 Bailey Lane, Buffalo, WV delivery of a controlled substance • Jeffrey W. Blizzard, 11/06/64, 305 Rockledge Circle, SEE INDICTMENTS ON PAGE 5
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