Wetzel County Circuit Judge Richard Wilson presided over a variety of cases on March 4 including hearings related to alleged offenses of sex abuse, theft and fraud.

Joseph Ward, 70, of New Martinsville appeared for a status hearing. A pre-trial date was slated for 1:30 p.m. April 23 by Wilson, who also set a trial date of May 21-23. Marshall County Assistant Prosecutor Andrea Poling is prosecuting the case. Robert McCoid is Ward’s attorney.

Ward was indicted May 2024 on 32 counts of sex-related crimes against children. Ward remains free on bond.

Stefan Kendal Cooper, 57, of New Martinsville entered a not guilty plea on a one-county indictment alleging insurance fraud. Wilson scheduled a status hearing for 1:45 p.m. March 19. Wetzel County Prosecutor Timothy Haught is prosecuting the case. Scott Brown is his attorney. A bond of $10,000 cash or surety or 10 percent to the court was set.

A status hearing was held for Dale Robert McDaniels of Pine Grove. Officials are trying to find a place for him to live so he can receive services from adult protective services and serve his extended supervised release. He remains jailed until then. McDaniels, a Pine Grove resident, was originally indicted by a Wetzel County Grand Jury during the January 2023 term on three felony counts of first degree sexual assault.

Kevin Ray Morgan, 49, of Paden City waived his right to a speedy trial this term of court. His case was continued by Wilson until 10 a.m. May 28. Morgan’s attorney, Scott Brown, said Morgan needed more time to consider a potential plea deal offered by the state. Haught is prosecuting the case. Morgan was originally charged by the September 2024 Grand Jury in a one count felony indictment of driving while revoked for DUI, third offense. The crime allegedly occurred on or about July 22, 2024, on W.Va. 7, in Wetzel County. Morgan already pleaded not guilty. Morgan is already on probation for a federal drug charge.

Zachary Jeremiah Ferrebee, 35, pleaded guilty to grand larceny and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Wilson scheduled a sentencing hearing for 2:15 p.m. March 19. Wilson ordered an abbreviated presentence investigation be conducted by the probation office. As part of the plea, Ferrebee admitted to charges. If the case had gone to trial, Haught said evidence would have shown he stole a trolling motor found in his possession. Also, during a traffic stop he was found in possession of enough meth to show intent to sell it.

Norman Junior Wade Sr., 75, of Littleton pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse in the first degree. Wilson ordered a pre-sentence report be conducted before a future sentencing hearing set. A psychological evaluation was ordered. Craft said if the case had gone to trial, evidence would have shown that Wade touched a girl’s private area overtop of her clothes with his hand and with his phone, that he grabbed her breast overtop of her clothes, and that he offered the girl cash to take off her clothing. Craft said when Wade was questioned by police he told officers that he “did it out of loneliness” and thought she liked being touched with the phone. Wade will have to register as a sex offender for life. Craft said the state was dismissing counts 2-5. Wade was originally charged with 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. The crimes allegedly occurred between March 10, 2024, and June 30, 2024, in Wetzel County. Roger Curry is his attorney.

Kenneth L. Higginbotham has a sentence of 1-3 years suspended by Wilson, receiving three years of probation instead. As part of the probation he must complete adult drug court. Higginbotham checked himself into an inpatient drug treatment program, Clean & Clear, and completed it. He said the program made a significant impact on his life and he is thankful for the opportunity to do it. Wilson, who is also the drug court judge, told Higginbotham to treat adult drug court as “a pathway and not a punishment.” He said if Higginbotham needed help he should ask for it instead of going back to drugs.

“If something comes off the rails in drug court I get almost real time notification,” he said.

Higginbotham originally pleaded guilty to felony delivery of xylazine. Haught prosecuted the case and John Jurko is his attorney.

A status hearing for Charles Thomas Davis Jr., 47, of Woodsfield, Ohio, was rescheduled for 2:30 p.m. March 19. Davis already 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. Craft is prosecuting the case. Andy Mendelson is his attorney.

A status hearing for Jason Earl Higginbotham, 39, of Shinnston, W.Va., was scheduled for 9:15 a.m. March 12. Higginbotham already 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. Haught is prosecuting the case. Mendelson is his attorney.