Robert A. Goddard, 73, will be confined to his home at Rt. 1 Box 124, Proctor, for 10 years in exchange for guilty pleas to three of 47 counts of a sexual nature.

As per a plea agreement, Goddard pleaded guilty Friday to counts 19 and 31 of sexual abuse in the first degree, and count 32 of sexual abuse by a custodian. Prosecuting attorney Timothy Haught commented, “The only reason the State of West Virginia entered into this plea agreement is because of the extreme trauma that the victim was experiencing at the prospect of having to testify against the defendant in this case.”

By his guilty plea, Goddard is now a convicted felon and has waived his right to a trial. For these convictions, Goddard was sentenced to one to five years each for counts 19 and 31, and 10-20 years for count 32. These sentences will be carried out concurrently; Judge David W. Hummel Jr. ruled that Goddard be bound by home confinement for 10 years and then placed in supervised release for sex offenders.

Haught explained, “In cases such as this, the state must balance the interests of society, the interests of justice, and the interests of the fragile victim in this case. There is no question in this case that the interests of the victim must come first.”

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Worthy Paul represented the state in the case and Goddard was represented by attorneys Frederick Gardner and David Jividen.

In other matters, Keith O. Streets, 32, of P. O. Box 192, Pine Grove, appeared in court Friday for a motion of reconsideration. Although the Northern Regional Jail had one write-up against him for destruction of property, reports stated his attendance and appearance were satisfactory. Streets also completed his probation period and Judge Hummel ruled it fitting to release Streets.

Streets previously pleaded guilty to unlawful assault and was sentenced to no less than one year and no more than five years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men. Unlawful assault was a lesser and included offense from his indictment on one felony count of malicious assault alleging that on Aug. 30, 2008, at the AAA trailer court in New Martinsville-he did cause bodily injury to John M. Weaver. A rule 35 motion for sentence modification was filed by Streets’ attorney and as such, Hummel reconsidered the sentence.

When Hummel asked Streets what he had learned, Streets replied, “I’ve learned not to take the law into my own hands.”

Jack D. Keys, 50, of P.O. Box 764, New Martinsville, was in court for a hearing. Attorney John Butler stepped in for Keys’ original counsel, Brian Carr, as Carr is ill. Because of this, Butler requested some time to read over the defendant’s discovery materials. Also regarding time constraints, Keys waived his right to a speedy trial this term and agreed to return in the January term. A mandatory status conference date is set for Dec. 29 at 9 a.m.

Keys’ criminal history includes a four-count indictment: count one, felony fleeing from an officer while under the influence; count two, misdemeanor second-offense driving under the influence of alcohol; and counts three and four are identical, felony child abuse by creating a risk of serious bodily injury or death by fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol which allegedly occurred on July 31 in Wetzel County.

Rebecca Dawn Beltran, 20, of RR 1 Box 87 Carmichael, Glen Easton, W.Va., appeared in court Friday without counsel. She was turned in by Ohio County authorities on her capias warrant.

Beltran is facing a two-count indictment. Count one is a felony offense of entry of a building other than a dwelling to have allegedly occurred between July 16 and 24, 2008, in which she entered a building belonging to Carl Nelson on Commercial St., New Martinsville, with the intent to commit a larceny. Count two is felony grand larceny to have allegedly occurred between the dates of July 16 and 24, 2008, with the value of $1,000 or more of paintball guns and equipment that belonged to Nelson. Bond was set for $5,000. Beltran is ordered to return to court Nov. 30 at 11:45 a.m.

Tyler Joseph Steed, 20, of P.O. Box 61, Caldwell, Ohio, also appeared in circuit court. After appearing twice previously without counsel, the court appointed attorney James Gardner as Steed’s counsel. Steed entered a plea of innocence on his charge of one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He is to return Nov. 30, 11:45 a.m.