U.S. Marshals Arrest Hedgesville Man Wanted for Malicious Assault, Witness Intimidation

Martinsburg, WV – The U.S. Marshals Mountain State Task Force today arrested Hedgesville man wanted in Berkeley County for malicious or unlawful assault and intimidation of a witness.

Ashton Ruppenthal, 18, was charged March 7 in relation to a Berkeley County case involving the “Get Money by Any Means” gang.

On March 20, the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office requested USMS assistance in apprehending Ruppenthal as quickly as possible, based on the witness intimidation charges.  

Upon receipt of the case, investigators were able to develop information indicating Ruppenthal was in Martinsburg. He was located in the 100 block of Daniel Street and taken into custody without incident.  

Ruppenthal is currently being held at the Eastern Regional Jail.  Additional information on this case may be obtained from the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office in Martinsburg.  

“The charges against this fugitive are serious and I am pleased at how quickly our task force was able to apprehend him,” said Terry Moore, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. “This arrest not only gets a violent fugitive off the street, it also helps to maintain the integrity of our judicial system.”

Agencies involved in Ruppenthal’s arrest were: Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Martinsburg Police Department, West Virginia State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  

The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, having served the country since 1789.