3 arrested in shootings of W.Va. marshals

ELKINS, W.Va., April 19 (UPI) -- Three West Virginians were arrested Tuesday for their alleged roles in the shooting death of one U.S. marshal and wounding of two others, authorities said.

Sherry Lou Smith, 49, of Elkins, Anthony Lambert, 23, of Montrose, and Cassandra Smith, 25, of Elkins, are named in a 14-count federal indictment in the Feb. 16 slaying of Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotspinpiller and injuries to the other two deputy marshals, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.

The federal agents were shot while they trying to serve a warrant on Charles Smith, who was also killed during the incident at his residence in Elkins.

Sherry Lou Smith is accused of lying when she bought a 12-gauge shotgun last July, when she said the gun was for herself, knowing it was for someone else, and of being in possession of a machine gun on Feb. 16.

All three defendants, who appeared before a federal magistrate Tuesday, allegedly lied to law enforcement authorities and assisted Charles Smith from March 22, 2010, to Feb. 16, 2011, to help prevent his apprehension and trial on drug and firearm charges.

They also allegedly conspired to obstruct the investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the attack on the officers, and are named in several related charges.