The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Patrick I. Via:
In person sentencing was held in the case the State vs Ayden Carroll, 22, of Cass, wherein the defendant pleaded guilty to Count I of the indictment, sexual assault in the third degree, a felony, and Count II of the indictment, sexual assault in the third degree, a felony, and the court adjudged him guilty of the same. The Special Prosecutor asked for dismissal, according to the agreement, of Counts III, IV, V and IV, which was granted by the court. The court gives notice and requirements of registration to the defendant regarding the Sex Offender Registry. Carroll was sentenced as to Count I to not less than one year nor more than five years in the custody of the WVDOCR, no fine. As to Count II, he was sentenced to not less than one year nor more than five years in the WVDOCR, no fine. Sentences are to run consecutively. Sentences were then suspended and Carroll was placed on the Youthful Offender Program at Anthony Correctional Center to complete the program. He was remanded to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail to be transported to Anthony Correct- ional Center. Carroll is also placed on extended supervised release of 50 years.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Chelsea F. Ryder, 36, of Dunmore, wherein the defendant pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense in Count I of the indictment, entry of a building other than a dwelling, a felony. The court accepted the plea but deferred adjudication for a period of one year, along with Count II, petit larceny. Ryder is required to participate in conditions of the plea agreement.
In person sentencing was held for Michael Smith, Sr. 66, of Valley Bend, wherein defense counsel asked for alternative sentencing of probation with home confine- ment. The state opposed the alternative sentence as the defendant does not express remorse for his acts. Smith was sentenced to 12 months in the TVRJ. He is to complete sentence by serving 90 days with credit of time served of 27 days. Upon release, he is to immediately report to the home confinement officer for approval of residence. He is to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim and is to participate in a Batterer Intervention Program and undergo drug and alcohol screening.
Arraignment was held in the case the State vs Christopher Brier Dinsmore, 35, of Hillsboro, wherein he pleaded not guilty to 12 counts, use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor, a felony; one count, soliciting a minor via computer, a felony; two counts, sexual assault, second degree, a felony; one count, burglary, a felony. He is to be processed by the West Virginia State Police while he is incarcerated. Defense counsel’s motion to modify bond was denied as the state objected due to the charges.
A hearing on motion for bond modification was held in the case the State vs Austin Keith, 31, of Cass, wherein the court modified bond to $7,000 surety-bondsman with the condition of home confinement and day report upon approved residence.
