NEW MARTINSVILLE – Wetzel County Circuit Court Judge Richard Wilson presided over multiple hearings during the first day of the new January 2025 term of court.

The docket day hearings, held on Jan. 31, included a mixture of new cases related to mostly drug and sex-related crimes.

Aleigha Marie Loy, 20, of New Martinsville was arraigned on the charge of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine. She pleaded not guilty. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12. A $5,000 bond was set. The crime allegedly occurred on or about July 3, 2024 in Wetzel County. Wetzel County Prosecutor Tim Haught is prosecuting the case. David White is her attorney.

Mikeal James Craft, 37, of Folsom, W.Va., was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine. The crime allegedly occurred on or about September 4, 2024, in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 4. Bond was previously set but revoked. Craft is facing charges in another county as well. Haught is prosecuting the case and Scott Brown is Craft’s attorney.

Kyle Nelson, 28, of New Martinsville was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to felony delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, within 1,000 feet of a school. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12. Nelson’s $5,000 bond was modified to include supervision by the probation office. The crime allegedly occurred on or about February 29, 2024 in Wetzel County. Haught is prosecuting the case. Roger Curry is his attorney.

Ellis Baxter Parker Jr., 59, of New Martinsville was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to 28 felony counts of sexual offenses against a minor female child. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12 and trial date of 9 a.m. April 28. The crimes allegedly occurred during a one-year period between Jan. 27, 2021, and Jan. 26, 2022. Each charge allegedly occurred at separate times. Haught is prosecuting the case. Michael Baum is his attorney.

Logan Wayne Powell, 28, of New Martinsville was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to six felony counts of possession of child pornography (violence against a child) and possession of child pornography (more than 600 images). The offenses allegedly occurred between April 8, 2024, and April 17, 2024, in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12 and a trial date for 9 a.m. April 15. Craft is prosecuting the case. Michael Kuhn is his attorney.

Norman Junior Wade Sr., 75, of Littleton, W.Va., was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to five counts of felony sex offenses including sexual abuse by a custodian, sexual abuse in the first degree, and soliciting a minor by means other than a computer. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12. The crimes allegedly occurred between March 10, 2024, and June 30, 2024, in Wetzel County. Craft is prosecuting the case. Curry is his attorney.

Jason Earl Higginbotham, 39, of Shinnston, W.Va., was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to the felony offense of third or subsequent offense driving while revoked for DUI. The charge allegedly occurred on or about July 6, 2024, in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12. Haught is prosecuting the case. Andy Mendelson is his attorney.

Chelsea Marie Cochran of Marietta, Ohio, pleaded not guilty to a direct presentment charging her with four felony counts of possession of controlled illegal drugs with intent to deliver. The crimes allegedly occurred on or about April 19, 2024, in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12. A bond of $15,000 was set and would be supervised. It was noted she is also facing felony charges in Wood and Doddridge counties with bonds of $100,000 and $15,000, respectively. Haught is prosecuting the case. Curry is her attorney.

John Scott Daugherty, 72, of Reader, W.Va., was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, Methamphetamine, with intent to deliver. The crime was allegedly committed on or about Oct. 12, 2023, in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12 and a trial for 9 a.m. March 19. Haught is prosecuting the case. Kevin Nieswonger is his attorney.

Charles Thomas Davis Jr., 47, of Woodsfield, Ohio, was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts of failure to register as a sex offender, second offense, and failure to update sex offender registry information, second offense. The charges allegedly occurred during 2023 and 2024. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 9:15 a.m. March 12 and a trial for 9 a.m. March 31. Craft is prosecuting the case. Mendelson is his attorney.

Robert Patrick Dibell of Paden City was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to robbery in the first degree, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and use or presentation of a firearm while engaged in the commission of a felony. The crimes allegedly occurred on or about Nov. 6, 2024 in Wetzel County. Wilson set a pre-trial hearing for 1:15 p.m. March 12. Haught is prosecuting the case. Curry is his attorney.

Zachary Jeremiah Ferrebee, 35, of Paden City was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to a one count felony indictment of grand larceny that alleges he stole a 2025 Lowe Boat and a MinnKota trolling motor on or about July 1, 2024 in Wetzel County.

Ferrebee was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to a separate three-count felony indictment of possession of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl, with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver xylazine and methamphetamine. The charges allegedly occurred on or about Feb. 12, 2024, in Wetzel County. Haught is prosecuting the case. Mendelson is his attorney.

Jeremiah Eugene Metz of Pine Grove, W.Va., was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to a three-count felony indictment of delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. The crimes allegedly occurred on or about July 10, 2024, July 23, 2024, and Aug. 6, 2024 in Wetzel County. Wilson set a plea hearing for 3:30 p.m. Feb. 25. Metz is currently at the Clean & Clear drug rehabilitation center. Haught is prosecuting the case. Curry is his attorney.