Category Archives: News & Updates

June 2017 Indictments

On Monday, June 5th, 2017, the Brooke County Grand Jury Indicted the following:

Morgan Aracich, 23, of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on one count of fraud by an access device, one count of attempted fraud by access device, and one count of burglary;

Shawna Bellum, 25, of Mingo Junction, Ohio, was indicted on three counts of fraud in connection with an access device, and one count of conspiracy;

Ashley Bryan, 25, of Follansbee, WV, was indicted on one count of fleeing in a vehicle from a law enforcement officer with reckless disregard to the safety of others and one count of driving while suspended;

Shawn Castner, 57, of Steubenville, OH, was indicted on three counts of fraud in connection with an access device and one count of conspiracy;

Frank DeFede, Jr., 45, of Colliers, WV, was indicted on one count of delivery within 1,000 ft of a school and one count of delivery of a controlled substance;

Steven Dillard, 49, of Washington, PA, was indicted on four counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance;

Craig Harms, 33, of Colliers, WV, was indicted on two counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance;

William Hunter, 25, of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on one count of entering without breaking and one count of fleeing;

Brandon Lancaster, 27, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on ten counts of distribution of obscene matter to a minor;

Christopher MacGregor, 42, of Steubenville, OH, was indicted on one count of failure to appear;

Justin Moore, 31, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on three counts of delivery of schedule I controlled substance 1,000 ft of a school;

Anthony Paulding, 43, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on three counts of delivery of schedule II controlled substance, two counts of delivery of schedule I controlled substance, and one count of possession with the intent to deliver;

Jennifer Roberts, 40, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on four counts of Financial Exploitation of an incapacitated adult;

Robert Sayre, 58, of Follansbee, WV, was indicted on one count of delivery of schedule II controlled substance within 1,000 ft of a school, one count of delivery of schedule II controlled substance, and one count of transporting a controlled substance into the State with the intent to deliver;

Darly Steenson, 39, of Moundsville, WV, was indicted on one count of Sexual Assault in the first, fifteen counts of sexual abuse by a custodian, and seven counts of sexual abuse in the first;

Cory Stevens, 27, Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on three counts of fraud by access device;

Glenn Stewart, Jr., 53, of Follansbee, WV, was indicted on one count of entering without breaking;

NOTICE

The Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney is seeking to employ a legal secretary for part-time employment by the Brooke County Commission. Successful applicants will be required to work 20 hours a week on a flexible schedule between 9:00-5:00 Monday through Friday at a pay rate starting at $9.50 per hour. Applicants may submit a resume’ and letter of application by fax at 304-737-4187 or by mail to 727 Charles Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070 until April 24, 2017.

March 2017 Grand Jury

The March 2017 Grand Jurors returned the following Indictments:

Randall Adams of Weirton, WV was indicted on one count of Driving Under the Influence, Third Offense.

Brian Benton of Richmond, OH was indicted on one count of Malicious Wounding.

Michael Colley of Weirton, WV was indicted on one count of Fleeing in a Vehicle From an Officer Showing Reckless Disregard for the Safety of Others, one count of Fleeing Under the Influence and one count of Fleeing on Foot.

Justin Collins of Colliers, WV was indicted on twenty-four counts of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree.

Logan S. Daugherty was indicted on two counts of Sexual Assault 3rd Degree, six counts of Incest, and twelve counts of Sexual Abuse by a Parent.

Brenda Green of Wintersville, OH, was indicted on one count of Escape.

Nora Haspel of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on two counts of Deliver of a Controlled Substance.

William Holt of Mingo Junction, OH, was indicted on one count of Delivery and one count of Possession with Intent.

Jesse Hubbard, Jr., of Steubenville, OH, was indicted on nine counts of Sexual Abuse by a Custodian.

Anthony Hurst of New Cumberland, WV, was indicted on one count of Grand Larceny-auto, one count of DUI, 3rd, and one count of Driving Revoked for DUI.

Laken Jordan was indicted on one count of Conspiracy.

Jim Gene Kadin, Lamarque, TX, was indicted on two counts of Sexual Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse by a Custodian.

Travis Knight of Adena, OH, was indicted on one count of Counterfeiting and one count of Conspiracy;

Michael McWha of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on one count of Breaking and Entering and one count of Escape;

Mark Mitchell of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on three counts of Sexual Abuse by a Custodian.

Linsey Siudak of Follansbee, WV, was indicted on one count of Shoplifting, one count of Failure to Appear, one count of Entering a Building, and one count of Conspiracy;

William Smith, III, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on one count of Strangulation, one count of Domestic Battery, and one count of Destruction of Property;

James Stevey of Wellsburg, WV, was indicted on one count of Operating a lab and one count of Conspiracy to Operate;

Blaise Torrance of Steubenville, OH, was indicted on one count of DUI, 3rd Offense;

Charles Yost, Jr, of Weirton, WV, was indicted on one count of Operating a Lab and one count of Conspiracy to Operate;

September 19, 2016

David F. Cross advises that Daniel Yost, Jr., plead guilty today to “Fleeing with Reckless Indifference to the Safety of Others” and “Operating a Clandestine Drug Laboratory”.  He received a sentence of not less than one nor more than five years and a sentence of not less than two nor more than ten years in the Division of Corrections.

July 13th, 2016

Assistant Prosecutor John Kyle advises Kelly Painter plead guilty to “Possession” and “Shoplifting, 2nd”.  Ms. Painter was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 60 days probation. Ms. Painter is to self report to the Northern Regional Jail on July 18th, 2016, to begin serving her sentence.

March 2016 Grand Jury

The March 2016 Grand Jurors returned the following indictments:

Scott Allison of Toronto, Ohio, was indicted on two counts of Delivery and one count of Transporting.

Logan Atkins of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on Robbery in the First Degree, Daytime Entering without Breaking, and Conspiracy.

Jonathan Boyer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was indicted on Shoplifting, 3rd Offense, and Entering without Breaking.

Jeremy Buchanan of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on DUI, 3rd Offense, and Fleeing.

Julia Anne Chandler Columbus, Ohio, was indicted on Transporting and Conspiracy.

William Kingsley Clark of Rayland, Ohio, was indicted on Sexual Assault in the 2nd Degree, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

Jason Darby of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on two counts of Delivery, two counts of Transporting, and two counts of Conspiracy.

Ashley Guiler of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on two counts of Shoplifting, 3rd Offense.

Joel Kerr of Wellsburg, West Virginia, was indicted for Grand Larceny and Entering without Breaking.

Travis Landis of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on Delivery, Transporting, and Conspiracy.

Ralph Liggett of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted on four counts of Wanton Endangerment, one count of prohibited person with a firearm, and one count of Domestic Battery.

Kerry Looman of Colliers, West Virginia, was indicted on Driving Revoked for DUI, 3rd Offense.

Lorena Mercer of Toronto, Ohio,  was indicted on three counts of Fraud in Connection with an Access Device and one count of Conspiracy.

Jason Mitter of Wellsburg, West Virginia, was indicted for DUI, 3rd Offense.

Carl Lee Nixon of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree.

Kayla Persad of Wellsburg, West Virginia was indicted on one count of Child Abuse Resulting in Injury, two counts of Child Neglect Resulting in Injury, and one count of Malicious Assault.

Alyssa Satathite of Follansbee, West Virginia, was indicted for Transporting and Conspiracy.

Samuel Stenger, Jr., of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on Robbery in the First Degree.

Matthew Summers of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on two counts of Shoplifting, Third Offense.

Krystal Surrency of Columbus, Ohio, was indicted for Transporting, Conspiracy, and Child Neglect Creating Injury.

Mary K. Swiger, aka Mary K. Wells, aka Mary K. Jordan, of Van Wert, Ohio, was indicted for Fraudulent Schemes, Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses, and Grand Larceny.

Dean Timblin of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted on two Counts of Sexual Assault in the 3rd Degree and one count of Sexual Assault in the 2nd Degree.

Robert Tingler of Grove City, Ohio, was indicted for Delivery, Transporting, and Conspiracy.

Shane Wilson of Wellsburg, West Virginia, was indicted for Unlawful Assault and Domestic Violence, 3rd Offense.

Alexander Wudarski of Weirton, West Virginia, was indicted for two counts of Transporting and two counts of Conspiracy.

Charles Russell Yost of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was indicted for one count of Fraudulent Scheme and four counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses.

Daniel E. Yost, Jr. of Wellsburg, West Virginia, was indicted for three counts of Fleeing.

Roxie Yost of Follansbee, West Virginia, was indicted for Burglary and two counts of Forgery.

 

Docket Day – November 9th, 2015

With all five Prosecutors present the 41 Indictees were arraigned.

The Kinker murder trial previously schedule for November, 2015, was rescheduled for May, 2016.

Marquis McClung, Jr., a petition to revoke the probation of Marquis McClung was held in regard to the matter and the Court found that he had violated his probation. The Court ordered that he serve a sanction of  45 days in the West Virginia Division of Corrections as a result of the violation and further ordered Mr. McClung’s probation extended for a period of six months following the sanction in the Division of Corrections.

Logan Daugherty’s trial has been scheduled for February, 2015.

John McGowan was sentenced to 4 years of incarceration in the Division of Corrections as a result of his conviction for “Wanton Endangerment With a Firearm”.  He was ordered to report to the Division of Corrections on November 16th, 2015, to begin serving the sentence imposed by the Judge.

November 2015 Indictments

41 individuals indicted by the November 2015 Brooke County Grand Jury. Below is the list with some of the charges each indictee faces:

Reinhart, Bruce-Murder
Smith, Cody- Att. Murder and Mal. assault
O’Shea, Thomas- Sex assault in First (x) 10
Miller, Robert- Sex Abuse 1st (x) 8 and Sex Abuse by custodian (x) 8
Hauck, Patrick- Robbery
Brooks, Zachary- Operating a Meth Lab, Child neg with Risk of Injury, Conspiracy
Wentz, Charlotte- DUI 3rd
Hunter, William- Burglary and Escape
Carbasho, Francis- Child Neg w risk of Serious Injury
Everhart, Ashley- Child Neg w risk of Serious Injury
Fedak, Jaclyn- Uttering; Entering w/o Breaking, Conspiracy, Del of Controlled Sub
Fitzpatrick, Tina-Fraud by access device (x) 3;Forgery and Uttering
Monigold, Jason- Transporting Controlled Sub to Del and Conspiracy
Yost, Roxie- Forgery, Uttering; Escape
Haspel, Glen- Forgery and Conspiracy
Haspel, Nora- Forgery and Conspiracy
Smith, Lauren- Forgery (x) 3
Dennis, Harry- Burglary (x) 6 and Conspiracy
Paulik, Kristin- Burglary (x) 6 and Conspiracy
Dulaney, Tiffany – Att. Robbery, Conspiracy, Fleeing
Kinsel, Cory- Fraud by access device (x) 3 and Conspiracy
Michael, Wendy-Fraud by Access Device (x) 2, Conspiracy
Thomas, Brandi- Arson in Second deg
Yost, Daniel, Jr.- Att. Robbery, Conspiracy, Fleeing
Mayes, Clayton- Fraud by Access Device (x) 8 and others
Mercer, Michael-Fraud by access device and Conspiracy
Bucy, Jason- Driving Revoked DUI 3rd
Board, William- DUI 3rd
Cuprik, Dustin- Grand Larceny, B&E Conspiracy
McAllister, Cedric- Accessory befor Fact Burglary and Conspiracy
Parr, Seth- Entering w/o Breaking and Burglary
Sherman, Rick- Grand Larceny, B&E Conspiracy
Smith, Curtis- Felony DOP
Wilson, David- Kidnapping, Assault during Felony, Conspiracy
Bachman, Shaun- Mal. assault (x) 2
Moore, Brandon- Grand Larceny and Conspiracy
Starcher, Brandon- Grand Larceny, Conspiracy; Entering w/o Breaking
Adams, James- Failure to register as sex offender
Green, Brenda- Shoplifting 3rd, fleeing in Vehicle
Richards, Phillip- Shoplifting 3rd (x) 3
Jones, Jamie- Fraud by access device (x) 7

Six Defendants Plead Guilty in Circuit Court

On Monday, July 14, in Brooke County Circuit Court, six criminal defendants plead guilty to various crimes.

Those defendants were:

Debbie Baker pled guilty to Embezzlement; Michael Summers pled guilty to Domestic Violence 3rd; Crystal McCoy pled guilty to Fraudulent Schemes; Brittany Ressenger pled guilty to Conspiracy; James Stevens III pled guilty to Transferring Stolen Property; and Zac Starr pled guilty to Misdemeanor Breaking and Entering an automobile.

Bethany College Employee Pleads Guilty

In March 2014, Shelly Lough, a former Bethany College employee entered guilty pleas to charges of Embezzlement and Falsifying Accounts that occurred between June 2011 and May 2013. The following month, she was sentenced to 2-20 years, receiving 1-10 years in prison for each count, which will be served consecutively.

Ms. Lough worked in an office that cashed staff and student checks, and covered her tracks by altering records.

Some of the media coverage of this case can be found at:

http://www.statejournal.com/story/24851549/woman-accused-of-embezzeling-more-than-1-million-from-bethany-college-pleads-guilty

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/03/05/Bethany-College-worker-embezzles-1-million-to-keep-online-affair-quiet/stories/201403050060