BERKLEY COUNTY, W.Va. — Federal and state partners have results from a new initiative aimed to reduce domestic violence.
On Monday, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld unveiled the Berkeley County Domestic Violence Reduction Initiative. Alongside him were officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Office; the Martinsburg Police Department; and the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.
According to Ihlenfeld, the results so far have been promising.
“From talking to other U.S. attorneys who have tried something similar in other parts of the country, they have not produced in the way that we have,” Ihlenfeld claims.
The initiative was formed back in January to protect victims of domestic violence and keep communities safer. It focuses on prosecuting violent offenders and keeping firearms out of their hands.
“Domestic abusers are some of the most dangerous people in our community,” said Ihlenfeld. “Not only for the victims that they oftent imes terrorize but also for the police officers that have to respond to domestic calls.”
“This new and innovative approach will make Berkeley County safer for everyone, and especially for victims of domestic violence.” he added.
Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood praised the initiative and those at the state and federal level for their work.
“It’ll be game-changing in the way that some of these cases are prosecuted and pursued,” he said. “Teamwork, that is what’s most important.”
Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Katie Wilkes Dellegetti revealed some statistics of domestib violence incidents in the county since early 2022.
“Berkely County has served over 1,100 victims of domestic battery and 113 of those were strangulation,” she said.
These are the first federal indictments that were returned in May under the initiative:
Paul Richard Tomlinson, 23, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was indicted on firearms, witness tampering, and interstate violations.
Brian Michael Lewis, 42, of Levels, West Virginia, has been charged with two firearms charges involving eight firearms, two receivers, and ammunition.
Gabriel Ian Smith, 45, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, was charged with one firearms violation.
Justin Scott Shaw, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was indicted on a firearms charge.