Related repair and maintenance companies in Kanawha and Mingo counties were raided by federal agents Friday, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin confirmed.
Agents descended on Kanawha Electric & Machine Co., on Campbells Creek Road near Charleston, and its subsidiary, Tramco Services, of Williamson.
Goodwin would say only that there were "federal law enforcement operations" that occurred Friday at both locations. A man who answered at the Williamson location wouldn't comment and provided the phone number for the Charleston business. No one answered at that location Friday afternoon.
Thomas Sheppard is listed on the state's website as director and incorporator of both companies; Scott Sheppard is secretary and vice president; Larry Ward Jr. is director and president of both companies, and Wallace Weddington is treasurer.
The same men own and operate another repair and maintenance company, Field Service Group Inc., out of the same location in Charleston.
The Sheppards, of Williamson, also own Holston Realty Inc. The secretary of state's website says the business, which leases residential, nonresidential buildings and dwellings, miniwarehouses and self-storage units, is located also at 141 Campbells Creek Road.
Tug Aviation Inc. in Chattaroy is among the other businesses owned by the Sheppards, according to the website.