The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court:
Colin Alexander Chaplin, 22, of Marlinton, appeared by video from Tygart Valley Regional Jail for his sentencing hearing. It was noted that the defendant has been terminated from the Southeastern Regional Drug Court Program. As to Count I, grand larceny, Chaplin was sentenced to not less than one year nor more than 10 years in the state penitentiary. As to Count II, burglary, he was sentenced to not less than one year nor more than 15 years. Sentences are to run consecutively for two to 25 years. Chaplin was given 191 days’ credit for time served. He was referred to the (RSAT) Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program within the prison system.
A motions hearing was held in the case the State vs Tanner Moore, 26, of Marlinton, wherein the court ruled that voluntary statements from the defendant will be allowed at the jury trial. Moore was indicted on one count, first degree murder; and one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He remains in custody.
In arraignment hearings:
Ashley Good pleaded not guilty to one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor; one count, entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony. Bond was set at $2,500 personal recognizance (PR) with the added condition of Day Report supervision. The defendant is not to be on or near the property of Little Levels Clothing Center.
Wendell Edward Johnson, 55, of Cass, pleaded not guilty to one count, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, a felony; one count, obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor. He remains on previous posted surety bond of $20,000.
Kristy Dawn Moore, 34, of Marlinton pleaded not guilty to one count, entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony; one count, conspiracy to commit a felony, a felony; one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor. She remains on previously posted PR bond of $6,000 with added condition of Day Report Program.
Jeremy D. Moore, 38, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to one count, entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony; one count, conspiracy to commit a felony, a felony; one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor. He remains on previously posted PR bond of $6,000 with the condition of Day Report Program.
Billy Joe Brock pleaded not guilty to one count, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, a felony; one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a crime, a felony; one count person prohibited from possessing a firearm, a misdemeanor. He remains on previously posted $24,000 surety bond.
Michael Beverage, Jr., 37, of Marlinton, failed to appear for his arraignment hearing as well as to magistrate court for a pending matter there. The state asked that a capias be issued. Defense asked for a continuance. The court granted the continuance and magistrate court issued a capias in the matter in that court. Beverage was indicted on one count, child neglect creating risk of serious bodily injury, a felony.
Clifton Summerfield, 41, of Hillsboro, pleaded not guilty to one count failure to register as a sex offender, a felony. Bond was set at $3,000 PR.
Defense counsel for Shawn Barb, 33, of Marlinton, asked for a continuance of the arraignment hearing as the defendant has another case set for a change of plea and asked that this matter be placed with the other hearing. The matter is set for arraignment/change of plea February 8, 2024.
Barb was most recently indicted on one count, entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony; one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor.
Arnold Buren Schoolcraft, 30, of White Sulphur Springs, appeared by video from Tygart Valley Regional Jail for his arraignment, wherein defense counsel advised the court that they had been unable to speak with the defendant. The matter is continued to January 18, 2024. Schoolcraft was indicted on one count, burglary, a felony.
Ayden Carroll, 20, of Cass, pleaded not guilty to four counts, sexual assault in the third degree, a felony; two counts, sexual abuse, third degree, a misdemeanor. The State asked that cash/surety bond be set at $25,000. Defense asked that it be set at $10,000, and that the defendant be allowed to leave the state for National Guard duties. The court set bond at $15,000 cash/surety, with the condition that Carroll is to have no direct or indirect, physical or verbal contact with the victim or their family. He will be permitted to leave the state only for the purpose of National Guard duties. If he failed to post bond by the close of business December 22, he was to self-report to the Sheriff’s Department for transport to the regional jail.
Zane Hickson, 69, of Cass, pleaded not guilty to one count intimidation of and against public officers and employees, a felony; one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony, a felony; one count, obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor. Bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety/property.
Michele Stewart, 46, of Hillsboro, pleaded not guilty to one count, grand larceny, a felony; one count, driving while license revoked, a misdemeanor. She remains on previously posted $5,000 surety bond.
Justin R. Arbogast, 35, of Valley Head, pleaded guilty to one count, attempted entry of a dwelling or outbuilding, a felony; one count, conspiracy to commit a felony, a felony. Bond was set at $5,000; 50 percent PR, 50 percent cash/surety/property. Bond was to be posted by 4 p.m. December 27. If not posted, Arbogast was to self-report to the Sheriff’s Department for transport to regional jail.
Ashley Welch, 31, of Valley Head, pleaded not guilty to one count, attempted entry of a dwelling or outbuilding, a felony; one count, conspiracy to commit a felony, a felony. Bond was set at $5,000, 10 percent cash/ surety and 90 percent PR. Bond was to be posted by December 27, or the defendant was to self-report to the Sheriff’s Department for transport to regional jail.
Maybelle Warner, 19, of Snowshoe, pleaded not guilty to two counts, sexual abuse in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Bond was set at $1,000, 10 percent cash/surety and 90 percent PR with the added condition that the defendant will be permitted to go to and from employment in Monterey, Virginia, and she is to have no direct or indirect, physical or verbal contact with the alleged victim or the victim’s household. Warner may contact the grandparents but they must meet at least one mile away from the household and there is to be no relay of conversation to the victim or the family.
Christopher Gibson, 46, of Buckeye, appeared by video from the Northern Correctional Center. Gibson stated that he did not understand the new indictment and asked to speak with his counsel about the matter. The clerk shall issue a summons to appear for the new arraignment date and will have the defendant served with a summons and indictment at the Northern Correctional Center. Gibson was indicted on one count, failure to register as a sex offender or provide notice of registration changes, second or subsequent offense, a felony.
Tony Allen Garretson, 42, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to two counts, driving in a controlled substance (Methamphetamine) impaired state proximately causing death of any person, a felony; two counts, negligent homicide, a felony; one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor. The Court blankets present bond to add all remaining counts of the indictment. Pre-trial status conference is set for February 14, 2024.
