James Russell Webber

James Russell Webber, 66, of 83 Northgate Drive in New Martinsville was arrested Dec. 8 for one count of solicitation of murder. Webber allegedly attempted to hire a man to murder several individuals in the Ohio Valley area due to a supposed grudge over roofing work done years ago.

Corporal C.J. Lantz of the West Virginia State Police said the investigation had been going on for months. According to the criminal report, police received a complaint Oct. 15 concerning the solicitation of murder by Webber. Law enforcement was able to obtain audio and video surveillance of Webber in Wetzel County discussing the victims to be killed, the plan prior to and after the murders, providing $300 to obtain a murder weapon, and discussing disposal of the body after the murder.

On Dec. 8 audio and video surveillance was also obtained wherein Webber discussed the plan to murder one of his targets. Webber stated the reason for the murder was because of a bad roofing job performed by that individual. He also stated during the course of the investigation he would pay $10,000 for the death of his enemy.

Out of courtesy to the victims and their families, the names of those targeted by Webber will not be released at this time. According to reports, the man Webber allegedly hired to execute the murders is also in custody. Authorities are not releasing his identity yet, either.

The arrest, made by the West Virginia State Police Special Response Team, the West Virginia State Police, and the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, was made without incident in the parking lot of Riverview Plaza in New Martinsville Dec. 8.

Webber is being held in the Northern Regional Jail in lieu of a $250,000 cash bond. If found guilty of the offense Webber faces a possible sentence of three to 15 years in the West Virginia State Penitentiary for Men.

Webber was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Wetzel County Magistrate Court today at 10 a.m. before Magistrate Tom Shepherd.

Jeff Cramer of Marshall County was named to act as Special Prosecuting Attorney. The investigation is ongoing.