BY MIRANDA STOKES

Staff Writer

Three were arraigned in Wetzel County Circuit Court on March 7 as several appeared before Judge Mark A. Karl to continue matters in their cases. A few newly indicted individuals have already agreed to accept plea offers from the state while many others are in negotiation.

Roland Lee Day Jr., 60, of HC 61 Box 38A, Wileyville, appeared before Judge Karl alongside retained Attorney Robert McCoid for his arraignment wherein he entered a plea of innocence to each of his 33 counts of felony offenses of a sexual nature. Following his arraignment bond was set at $10,000 cash, surety, or professional bondsmen; he posted bond. Day’s next day in court is set for March 23 at 10 a.m.

Counts one through three charge that between Jan. 1 and Jan. 30, 2006, Day allegedly committed the offense of sexual assault in the first degree, sexual abuse by a custodian, and incest, respectively.

The remaining charges are said to have occurred between Sept. 1, 2007, and Nov. 30, 2010. Counts four, six, eight, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 allege that Day committed the offense of sexual abuse in the first degree. Counts five, seven, nine, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, and 33 allege that Day committed the offense of sexual abuse by a custodian.

Rebecca Ann Watson, 25, of P. O. Box 552, Pine Grove, remained silent as the court entered innocent pleas on her behalf to each of her 25 counts for forgery and uttering. It was noted a plea offer has been extended to the defendant, however Watson needs time to review the state’s proposal. As such the judge set a return date of March 23 at 10 a.m. Her bond continues.

Watson made her first appearance in circuit court on Feb. 22 wherein she was instructed to file an eligibility affidavit. Also during that hearing bond was granted at $5,000 personal recognizance.

Watson is indicted on 13 counts of forgery and 12 counts of uttering for alleged forging and employing as true checks totaling $7,556.82 in the span of six days, all to have occurred in 2011 on the account of Jerry L. White and Vickey A. White.

Mary Bennett, 59, of 421 1/2 Maple Ave., New Martinsville, remained silent as the court entered innocent pleas on her behalf to her one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance (hydrocodone). The alleged offense is to have occurred on Sept. 22, 2010, in New Martinsville. Bennett’s bond continues and she will return to court March 23 at 10 a.m. to continue matters surrounding her case.

Similar to Watson’s case, on Feb. 22 Bennett made her initial appearance without counsel and was ordered to file an eligibility affidavit for public representation. The state also suggested a $5,000 personal recognizance bond for her.

Meanwhile, Steven L. Leek, 45, of RD 1, Box 205, New Martinsville, appeared before Judge Karl wherein Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught stated he and the defense had reached a plea agreement. Leek was remanded to the Northern Regional Jail and will return March 16 at 10 a.m. for the entry of a plea.

On Feb. 7 Leek entered pleas of innocence to his three-count indictment for various offenses.

Count one of his indictment charges Leek with felony failure to update sex offender registry information wherein between May 6 and Nov. 7 in Wetzel County, he, being required to register as a sex offender for life, failed to register or provide a change in information to the West Virginia State Police in Wetzel County by knowingly failing or refusing to report his move to a new address.

Count two charges him with felony failure to register as a sex offender wherein he, being required to register as a sex offender for life, failed to report in the month of his birth (September) to the West Virginia State Police detachment in Wetzel County.

Count three states Leek committed the misdemeanor offense of first offense carrying a concealed deadly weapon for carrying a switchblade knife concealed in his pocket on or about Nov. 7 in Wetzel County.

A plea agreement has also been reached in the case of Jonathan Lee Johnson, 20, of 100 Bridge Street, Lot 14 South, New Martinsville, who is scheduled to enter his plea on March 16 at 10 a.m. Following his brief hearing he was remanded to the NRJ.

Johnson is charged with one count of malicious assault for allegedly causing bodily injury to a named victim with the intent to main, disfigure, disable, or kill by striking him with his hand and kicking him with his feet on or about Jan. 8 in Wetzel County. He pleaded innocent to the charge during his arraignment on Feb. 7.

Jonathan Edward Glendenning, 22, of 202 Abbie Drive, New Martinsville, has agreed to accept the state’s plea offer and will return to circuit court on March 23 at 10 a.m. to enter his plea. His bond continues until that time.

On Feb. 24 Glendenning pleaded innocent to his one count of manufacturing marijuana. The offense is to have occurred on or about Aug. 2 in Wetzel County.

A plea offer has also been made to Larry Joe George, 29, of P.O. Box 67, Reader, who still needs time to consider the state’s proposal. Following his hearing in circuit court a return date was set for March 23 at 10 a.m. His bond continues.

George, along with codefendant Tiffany Rose Morgan, 21, of HC 60, Box 70, Pine Grove, both entered innocent pleas to all of their charges.

The two were each handed a three-count indictment for burglary-related offenses said to have occurred on or about June 24 in Wetzel County against Ronnie Goodrich.

Count one charges the duo with daytime burglary for allegedly breaking into the dwelling house of Goodrich, located near Jacksonburg, with the intent to commit a crime therein.

Count two states they committed the offense of entry of a building other than a dwelling for entering a locked garage near Goodrich’s dwelling.

Count three charges them with the misdemeanor offense of petit larceny for carrying away firearms having a cumulative value of less than $1,000 belonging to Goodrich.

Johnna Watson, 19, of P. O. Box 125, Littleton, appeared for her hearing wherein Attorney Jeremiah Gardner relayed a verbal plea offer has been made to them by the state. With time needed to consider the offer, Watson’s bond continues and she will return to court March 23 at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 24 she entered pleas of innocence to her three-count indictment of felony nighttime burglary and two misdemeanor counts of battery. The offenses are alleged to have occurred on Jan. 27, 2011, at the residence of Mary Elizabeth Leon-Miller in Littleton. The battery charges allege that Watson made physical contact in an insulting or provoking nature with Leon-Miller and Michael R. Miller.

In other matters, Mark Levi Blake, 31, of P.O. Box 274, Pine Grove, appeared in court alongside Attorney McCoid, who was filling in for Blake’s counsel, Kevin Neiswonger. No action was taken and a return date was set for March 29 at 10 a.m. Blake was remanded to the NRJ.

At his Feb. 22 hearing, Haught shared with the court that Blake had written several letters to Haught’s assistant prosecutor. With the unopened envelopes in hand, Haught handed the bundle to Blake’s attorney. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to review that,” Haught said as he asked that Blake be instructed to contact the prosecutor’s office through his counsel only. The judge advised Blake that he is not to make any correspondence with the state without his counsel.

Blake received a three-count felony indictment. Count one was for sexual assault in the second degree for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with another person without the person’s consent. Counts two and three for sexual abuse in the first degree for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual contact without their consent, resulting in forcible compulsion. All of the alleged events for the charges were to have occurred between Dec. 31, 2009, and May 30, 2011.

Thomas Edward Welch, 48, of RR 124, Proctor, appeared for his hearing alongside Attorney Thomas White who asked for additional time to negotiate with the state. As such the judge set March 29 at 10 a.m. for Welch’s return date. Welch was remanded to the NRJ.

On Feb. 22 Welch pleaded innocent to his charge of failure to register as a sex offender, an offense alleged to have occurred on or about Oct. 28, 2011.

Similarly, Cheyenne Sellers, 21, of 136 Cox St., New Martinsville, appeared with Attorney Thomas White who indicated more time was needed to negotiate with the state. Sellers was remanded to the NRJ and is set to return March 29 at 10 a.m. to continue matters.

On Feb. 24 Sellers pleaded innocent to each of 14 counts against him.

Wetzel County Grand Jurors handed Sellers five indictments totaling 14 true bills this term of court. A two-count indictment charges him with felony entry of a dwelling and misdemeanor petit larceny. Both allege that between July 2010 and Aug. 22, 2010, he, during the daytime, entered without breaking a dwelling house of Mike Anderson in New Martinsville with the intent to commit a crime therein and take away goods or chattels valued at less than $1,000 belonging to Anderson.

Another two-count indictment charges him with felony entry of a dwelling and misdemeanor petit larceny. Both allege that on Oct. 3, 2009, he, during the daytime, entered without breaking a dwelling house of Harry Campbell in New Martinsville with the intent to commit a crime therein and take away a Smith & Wesson 357 caliber revolver valued at less than $1,000 belonging to Campbell.

A four-count felony indictment includes two counts each of forgery and uttering for allegedly forging and employing as true checks written in the amounts of $100 and $200 on the account of James D. Furbee II to Mayo’s Exxon

A two-count felony indictment charges him with felony forgery and uttering, respectively, for allegedly forging and employing as true a check written in the amount of $60 on the account of Sgt. Harry E. Campbell, a retired New Martinsville Police Department officer, and Cynthia A. Starkey on Aug. 1, 2010, to Witschey’s Market, Inc.

A four-count felony indictment includes two counts each of forgery and uttering for allegedly forging and employing as true checks written in the amounts of $335 and $520 on the account of M & H Trucking to Witschey’s Market, Inc.

Charles Robert Wells, 45, of 247 Lang Dr., New Martinsville, also appeared alongside Attorney McCoid who shared that, as he was standing in for Attorney David White, a return date was needed. As such the judge passed the matter and set a return date of March 29 at 10 a.m. Wells’ bond continues.

On Feb. 22 Wells pleaded innocent to his one-count felony charge of third-offense domestic battery. He is alleged to have struck his girlfriend in the face with his hand and kicked her in the ribs with his foot on Oct. 24, 2011.

Benjamin Dale Francis, 32, of 1014 Third Street, New Martinsville, appeared for his hearing alongside Attorney Gardner who stated he had not yet received all of the discovery materials requested. The state noted they would tender the remaining items needed and a return date was set for March 16 at 10 a.m. Francis was remanded to the NRJ.

On Feb. 22 Francis entered innocent pleas to each of his charges of conspiracy to deliver controlled substances as well as his additional charge of attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer.

Co-defendants Jeffery Allen Dawson, 26, of Route 1, Box 16, Folsom, and Cynthia R. Smith, 23, of 618 North Fourth Avenue, Paden City, each pleaded innocent to their charges on Feb. 24 and Feb. 10, respectively.

The three were each handed a six-count indictment charging them with the repeated offense of conspiracy said to have occurred on or about Dec. 9 in New Martinsville.

The trio is charged with feloniously conspiring amongst each other to deliver: Hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance; Marijuana, a Schedule II controlled substance; Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance ; Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance ; Alprazolam, a Schedule II controlled substance; and Suboxone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Additionally, Dawson is charged with the offense of second degree robbery for allegedly removing money forcefully from Ciara Beisel on or about Dec. 30 in New Martinsville.

Furthermore, Francis is charged with the offense of attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer for attempting to disarm Patrolman Don Larsen, acting in his official capacity as a Patrolman for the New Martinsville Police Department, by grabbing Patrolman Larsen’s weapon and attempting to pull it from its holster on or about Dec. 9 in New Martinsville.

Summer Sellers Riley, 29, of 187 North State Route 2, Villa Apartments, New Martinsville, appeared for her hearing wherein it was requested by Attorney McCoid the matter be passed as her counsel, Attorney Neiswonger, was not able to appear. Riley’s bond continues and she is to return to circuit court on March 29 at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 7 Riley pleaded innocent to her one count indictment for felony delivery of a controlled substance (oxycodone), an offense which is alleged to have been committed on Sept. 10, 2011, in New Martinsville.

Leslie L. Debolt, 41, of 416 Foundry Street, New Martinsville, also appeared before Judge Karl with Attorney McCoid stepping in for Neiswonger. In the same manner the judge passed the case and set a return date of March 29 at 10 a.m. Debolt was remanded to the NRJ.

On Feb. 22 Debolt pleaded innocent to his four-count indictment for offenses alleged to have occurred on or about Sept. 28 in Wetzel County.

Count one charges Debolt with fleeing from an officer while DUI for fleeing in an automobile on state Route 2 and on Foundry Street in New Martinsville.

Count two states he committed the misdemeanor offense of driving under the influence of any controlled substance.

Count three charges him with misdemeanor reckless driving for driving at a high rate of speed, nearly striking a child, and by striking a pole on Foundry Street.

Count four states Debolt committed the misdemeanor offense of domestic assault for committing an act which placed his girlfriend in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury by chasing her both inside and outside their home in New Martinsville.

Roger Lee Harper Jr., 31, of 5146 Trace Fork Road, Sandyville, W.Va., appeared for his hearing in circuit court wherein the state tendered discovery materials to the defense. Harper’s bond continues and he will return to court on March 23 at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 22 Harper remained silent as the court entered innocent pleas on his behalf.

Harper has been charged with one count of third offense driving revoked for DUI for allegedly operating a motor vehicle on state Route 2 and Doolin Run Road in Wetzel County. This said individual was previously convicted of the offense of driving suspended/revoked for DUI in the Magistrate Court of Kanawha County, W.Va., on or about July 22, 2008; and in the Magistrate Court of Jackson County, W.Va., on or about June 12, 2008.

In another matter, Kristica Skelley, 30, of 714 North Fourth Avenue, Paden City, appeared to continue matters pertaining to her petition to revoke probation. Attorney Gardner told the court that in speaking with the defendant she was willing to waive her preliminary hearing and have the matter set for an adjudicatory hearing. Skelley’s probation continues until her next hearing scheduled for March 29 at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 24 it was learned that in addition to the petition filed to revoke Skelley’s probation, and amendment was presented regarding her having contact with a person under indictment, namely Summer Sellers Riley, 29, of 187 North State Route 2, Villa Apartments, New Martinsville.

On Oct. 3, 2011, Skelley was sentenced to one to 15 years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Women with credit for 11 days served for possession of a controlled substance (heroin) with intent to deliver, an offense she pleaded guilty to during her hearing on Monday. However, the execution of her sentence was suspended for two years supervised probation.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, she agreed to testify truthfully against Michael Fletcher, 29, and Melissa Tanley, 25, both of 114 North Second Avenue, Paden City. Both Fletcher and Tanley were charged with one count of conspiracy to deliver Vicodin, a Schedule III controlled substance.

Skelley was ordered to pay court costs and is further ordered to forfeit all monies and property seized by the Paden City Police Department during their investigation. Haught noted 120 stamps of heroin and roughly $1,817 in cash were seized by police.

Lastly, Richard Joseph Christy II, a fugitive from justice out of the state of Pennsylvania, appeared in circuit court alongside Attorney Gardner, who shared with the court that after speaking with Christy, he has decided he is willing to waive extradition and voluntarily return to Clearfield County, Pa., to face his charge of failure to appear. At his first appearance on Feb. 24 Christy had indicated to the court he did not wish to answer his charge. With that news Christy signed the waiver of extradition and was remanded to the NRJ to await his transfer to Pennsylvania.