Those indicted include:

* Chad K. Perkins, 52, 201 Main St., Lower Salem; joint with Randall D. Ash, 64, 14460 Browns Road, Marietta; both were indicted on aggravated possession of drugs, both third-degree felonies, from, July 2024 and June 6.

* Ethan Adam Ross, 25, 211 1/2 Maple St., Marietta; one count aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, from May 20.

* Chloe Marie Ellison, 19, 1121 Staunton Ave., Parkersburg; one count aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, from May 20

* Maurice James Franklin, 43, 2 East 223rd St., Euclid, OH, 44123; one count unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, a fifth-degree felony, from June 8.

* Brenda Leann Miller, 58, 1609 Hampton Rd., Parkersburg; joint with Mary Elizabeth Wolfe, 48, 731 Glendale Rd, Apartment 18, Marietta; Miller was charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; one count aggravated trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony. Wolfe was indicted on one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony, from April 29. Wolfe was charged in a separate indictment on one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony; one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, from April 27.

* Bobbie Jane Walker, 47, 1613 Washington Blvd., Belpre and Chad Douglas Walker, 51, 1613 Washington Blvd. Belpre; Monica Ann Starcher, 50, 816 Williams St., Parkersburg; Patrick Corey Jackson, 46, 1613 Washington Blvd., Belpre; were all named as codefendants in an indictment. Bobbie Jane Walker was indicted on one count of trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies; one count of permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony; one count trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony; one count endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor. Chad Douglas Walker was indicted on one charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies; one count of permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony; one count of endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor. Starcher was indicted on one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; one count aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; one count trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and one county possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fourth-degree felonies. Jackson was indicted on one count of trafficking in a fentanyl related-compound and one count of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fourth-degree felonies, from Jan. 1 to May 12.

* David Ray Johns, 42, 1485 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Crab Orchard, W.Va., 25827; one count of failure to appear as required by recognizance, a fourth-degree felony, from July 15.

* David Anthony Snyder, 40, 1260 Greenbrier St., Charleston; one count of failure to appear as require by recognizance, a fourth-degree felony,July 22.

* Jared Asa Davis, 36, no known address; joint with Andrew Frederick Mont Hinton, 48, 1880 Briggs Hill Rd., Belpre; both were indicted the same charges of one count theft, a fifth-degree felony; breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a fifth-degree third-degree felony, from June 26.

* Timothy Paul Satterfield, 45, 408 Elm St., Belpre; one count of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony; one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony, from July 9.

* David Michael Tittle, 57, 803 Coumbus Ave. Martins Ferry, OH, 43945; one count of escape, a third-degree felony, from July 19.

* Melissa Brigitt Iamadita, 19, no known address; joint with Anna Maria Chiciu, 23, 3801 Edmond Ave. Baltimore, Md., 21229; both were indicted on three counts of theft, all fifth-degree felonies; one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a fifth-degree felony, from May 10.

Wood County Circuit Court Judge J.D. Beane issued a declaratory judgment on Thursday that the city’s new method of picking up recyclables does not follow established state law and the city remains obligated to establish and implement a curbside-collection program for recyclable materials that satisfies the minimum requirements of the statute.

Parkersburg resident and attorney Walt Auvil said, in motions in his original suit, the city violated state code requiring cities with a population of 10,000 or more to establish and implement a mandatory recycling program offering pickup of at least three materials at least once a month.

The court’s ruling says the city’s subscription-based program with Rumpke of Ohio Inc., which charges those participating an additional $3 a month and went into effect in May year, is deficient.

On Friday, Auvil said the ruling was to determine if the contract was compliant with the law.

“What the court clearly established is the Rumpke contract does not fulfill the city’s obligation to the citizens of the city by the law,” he said. “The only recycling offered is through that Rumpke contract. No other recycling is offered.”

Auvil said he had made Parkersburg City Council aware of this in the past.

City officials said the contract was still in place and recyclables were still being picked up as of Friday.

Council’s Public Works and Finance committees will hold a joint meeting to discuss the ruling at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Executive Conference Room on the second floor of the Municipal Building. Items on the agenda to be discussed are options for complying with the recent court order to mandate all residents be charged the same for recycling regardless of participation or desire to recycle; what the penalty should be for not recycling three items each month; and what additional personnel are needed for enforcement and associated cost.

“The question is what do we do from here, what does the city do from here,” Auvil said. “I am hopeful that we will be able to reach some agreement with the city that will get them to do what the law requires, which is to provide the recycling service that they are required to provide to all citizens of the city.”

He has not ruled out further legal action if an agreement is not made.

“I am hopeful we can reach an agreement and get everyone the recycling the law says they are supposed to be offered,” Auvil said. “I just wish we did not have to go down this road.”

Parkersburg City Attorney Blaine Myers said they were pleased the court did not invalidate the contract with Rumpke and the city is able to keep providing that service.

Myers said the city has been looking at modifying the ordinance to conform to the language of the state statute and addressing the obligation of non-residential customers to recycle.

“The major issue that still needs to be resolved is … whether the city can charge a separate subscription fee of $3 a month, we provided in the ordinance, to those who voluntarily desire to recycle,” Myers said. “The argument opposed to that is the cost of recycling should be born by everyone whether they recycle or not.”

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said the original law that all of this falls under was passed in the 1990s and there are a number of cities across the state that are not being required to adhere to it. They mayor said he would find that “disappointing and impractical” if Parkersburg was required ro do so.

“The good thing is the contract was not voided,” Joyce said. “We can continue with the contract with Rumpke for what has been fantastic service from a recycling standpoint for around 1,300 residents of Parkersburg who had a fantastic recycling program at a very reasonable price compared to what it could have been.”

Council will have to determine how the city can comply, he said.

Joyce said he feels that if everyone is required to have the service then it will end up costing people more money to be in compliance.

“That is not going to come without a cost,” he said. “The reality of it is, if this order stands then the cost of curbside recycling is going to go up, not just for the people who use it, but the people who don’t use it or choose not to use it. That is unfortunate.

“At that point it is not a fee anymore; it is a tax, in my opinion.”

As it is, everyone is paying $1.50 a month and those people who actually receive a service of curbside recycling are paying an additional $3 a month, Joyce said.

“It was fundamentally fair in its pricing structure, certainly more fair than anything I have seen anywhere in West Virginia and way better than what we had before,” he said. “Because of this suit, we are going to have to force everyone to pay more, whether they use the service or not. I find that impractical. It is another version of wealth extraction and charging people money for something they don’t do or don’t use and pass it on to a third-party contractor.”

* Raymond William Perry, Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to battery and was assessed $176.48 and sentenced to four days in jail, already served).

* Charges of domestic battery and domestic assault were dismissed, without prejudice, against Devin Michael Allen, Washington, W.Va. The alleged victim does not wish to press charges.

* A charge for third-offense driving while suspended was dismissed against David Michael Mullins, 910 Pike St., Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence agreement.

* A charge of refusal to submit fingerprints or required information was dismissed against Steven Verl Gaston, Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence. Earlier, a charge for domestic assault was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

* Charges of speeding and reckless driving were dismissed against Xavier Christian Leeson, 25 Benson Drive, Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence.

* A battery charge was dismissed against Ashante Still, 1900 27th St., Apt. F, Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence.

* A charge of third-offense driving under the influence was dismissed against Steven Alan Mckinney, 407 Fream St., Pennsboro after he was indicted in another case.

* Amber Nicole Lockhart, 1400 23rd St., Vienna, pleaded guilty to driving while suspended or revoked and was assessed $276.48.

* Charges of third-offense driving while suspended and no seatbelt were dismissed against Jacob Ray Jewell, 1618 Covert St. Apt. B, Parkersburg, after a valid driver’s license was obtained.

* Charles Mathew Dillon, 240 Francis Road, Lowell, pleaded guilty to improper use of registration and was assessed $181.48. As part of a plea agreement, charges of driving while suspended or revoked and no insurance were dismissed.

* Charges of possession of a controlled substance and shoplifting were dismissed by the magistrate against Samantha Joann Leep, 1444 Jesterville Road, Parkersburg. The officer was not available, and there was no objection from the state.

* Connie Rae Smith, 977 Sun Valley Road, Washington, W.Va., pleaded guilty to obstruction with threats of harm and was assessed $176.48 with a sentence to jail for 20 days, suspended for one year of unsupervised probation. As part of a plea agreement, charges for assault and battery on government representatives were dismissed.

* A domestic battery charge was dismissed, without prejudice, against D’andre Lamore Price, Parkersburg, because the victim refuses to prosecute.

* Daniel Baine West, 2704 Fairview Ave., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to first offense failure to register on the child abuse and neglect registry and was assessed $426.28.

* A charge of wanton endangerment involving a firearm was dismissed against William Ray Adkins, 2403 Williamstown Pike, Williamstown. He was indicted in another case.

* Corey Wayne Ashbrook, Creston, pleaded guilty to domestic battery, from an original charge of domestic assault or second-offense domestic battery, and was assessed $176.48 with a jail sentence of 30 days, suspended for one year of unsupervised probation. In another case, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was assessed $181.48.

* Lonnie Nichole Smith, 6757 W. Little Kanawha Highway, Big Bend, pleaded guilty to second-offense shoplifting, was assessed $276.48 and was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $184.00 to Ulta Beauty of Vienna.

* Hannah Faye Moore, 116 Rhinestone Ridge Road, New Martinsville, pleaded guilty to speeding (71 mph in a 55 mph zone) and was assessed $186.48.

* Samuel Alexander Iniguez, 2015 Washington Blvd. Apt. 4D, Belpre, pleaded guilty to having no insurance and no operator’s license and was assessed $557.96.

* Austin Dailey Stewart, 1045 Sandhill Road, Lot 20, Marietta, pleaded guilty to speeding in a traffic restriction or construction zone (69 mph in a 55 mph zone) and was assessed $226.48.

U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Donald Robert Wilt Edwards, Sr., 30, of Elkins, to 25 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting a minor, the United States Attorney’s Office of Maryland announced in a press release Wednesday.

According to the press release, U.S Attorney for the District of Maryland Kelly O. Hayes announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department and Col. Jack Chambers, superintendent of the West Virginia State Police.

According to court documents, in June 2024, Edwards captured himself sexually abusing and exploiting a three-year-old minor victim, the release state. Edwards produced two images and one video of the abuse and distributed the files online using the Kik messaging application. He also possessed other child sexual abuse material on his cell phone and within his social media accounts.

In December 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Edwards’ Elkins residence, seizing multiple electronic devices, the release states. Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement uncovered additional CSAM on Edwards’ devices and in his social media accounts.

Hayes commended the FBI, BPD, West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Parole and Probation Office for their work in the investigation, the release states. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reema Sood and Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the federal case.

According to the release, this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.

Judge J.D. Beane said in a declaratory judgment issued Thursday that the city remains obligated under state law to establish and implement a source-separation and curbside-collection program for recyclable materials that satisfies the minimum requirements of the statute.

A declaratory judgment in West Virginia is an official court ruling that defines legal rights, status or relations without ordering any action or awarding damages.

Parkersburg resident and local attorney Walt Auvil filed the lawsuit in July 2025 after the city suspended its curbside recycling service in May of that year, citing manpower issues.

Auvil said, in motions, the city violated state code requiring cities with a population of 10,000 or more to establish and implement a mandatory recycling program offering pickup of at least three materials at least once a month.

The court’s ruling says the city’s subscription-based program with Rumpke of Ohio Inc., which charges those participating an additional $3 a month, went into effect in May of this year, is deficient.

The city said in responses to Auvil’s suit that it suspended curbside recycling due to a lack of employees to provide the service. When the answer to the suit was filed in August 2025, the city had 17 of 27 budgeted positions in the Sanitation Department filled. Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, the city hired 32 new sanitation employees and saw 30 resignations, retirements or terminations from the department, the response says.

“The Court declares that the City may use contractors and may charge lawful fees for recycling collection, but any such contract and fee structure must be part of a program that satisfies the minimum requirements of (state law),” Thursday’s ruling said. “The Court DECLARES that a program under which all residents or property owners are charged a monthly amount for citywide recycling services, but curbside collection is made available only to persons who separately subscribe and pay an additional monthly charge, does not satisfy the statutory minimum for a municipal source-separation and curbside-collection program under (state law), insofar as it violates the mandatory language of the statute and creates a voluntary system.”

The court ruled the city’s contract for curbside recycling with Rumpke cannot by itself satisfy the City’s obligations under state law because the contract covers only service to residential units.

“Nothing in this order requires the city to use any particular contractor, set any particular fee, adopt any particular route, use any particular container, or administer its recycling program in any particular manner beyond compliance with (state law),” the ruling said.

Nothing in the order adjudicates (Auvil’s) requests for mandamus, prohibition, injunctive relief, or motion to strike, except to the extent the declarations herein may bear upon the parties’ remaining claims or defenses, the ruling said.

City Council voted to contract out sanitation service to Waste Management in January, but that contract is on hold while citizens pursue a referendum vote. Trash pickup is being handled under an emergency month-to-month contract with Waste Management. The monthly $21 sanitation fee includes a $1.50 recycling surcharge for all residents, separate from the $3 recycling fee.

U.S. District Judge Frank W. Volk issued an order Monday granting a request by the Justice family to again postpone briefing deadlines and scheduled hearings in a case filed in April by White Sulphur Springs Holdings (WSSH), a company set up by Texas-based TRT Holdings that now holds the Greenbrier’s loan debt previously held by Virginia-based Carter Bank and Trust.

Volk set a pre-trial conference date for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, and an evidentiary hearing for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. The judge also set dates for attorneys for the Justice family to file status reports, including a report due Friday.

The Justice family continues to work on a financing deal with New York-based Kennedy Lewis Investment Management (KLIM) for up to $500 million to pay off major creditors and cover the costs of capital improvements for the resort.

The loan, characterized by some as more of a partnership, would be secured by the Greenbrier Resort and connected properties, land and timber assets owned by the Justice family, and guaranteed by Sen. Justice and other family members. The Justices would be required to create a new holding company and provide KLIM first-lien collateral on all significant resort properties.

Volk had previously set a deadline of July 16 in a May 30 order for the closing to be completed between the Justice family and KLIM, warning the family that any delays beyond that could test the patience of the court. In his updated order Monday, Volk stressed that the Justice family was running out of time.

“… These proceedings have now been suspended for over two months, and Defendants’ anticipated timeline has shifted considerably since the original request,” Volk wrote. “Given the potential for further prejudice to WSSH as a result of any further delay, the Court will set herein a schedule for further proceedings in the event the transaction does not close as anticipated.”

Attorneys for the Justice family had previously said they expected to close its deal with KLIM last week, but point to the complexity of the financing deal, which includes multiple Justice-owned entities connected to the Greenbrier.

“That transaction is not speculative or uncertain — it is nearly done,” wrote Justice’s attorneys Steve Ruby and H. Rodgin Cohen in a July 21 filing. “A further continuance of the briefing deadlines and scheduled hearings will enable Defendants to close the financing transaction, pay WSSH the amount it claims it is owed — netting WSSH a nearly $100 million windfall — and moot this case.”

The Justice family owes more than $387 million to WSSH after TRT Holdings purchased the Greenbrier’s remaining loan debt from Carter Bank in March. According to court documents, discussions between WSSH and the Justice family on a partnership for the Greenbrier broke down, with WSSH filing a lawsuit against the Justice family in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia when the loan went into default in April.

Attorneys for WSSH are asking Volk to appoint a receiver for the Greenbrier and miscellaneous properties and issue a permanent injunction against the Justice family to prevent further interference in The Greenbrier’s operations. In a filing last week, attorneys for WSSH reluctantly agreed to additional time for the Justice family to finalize a deal with KLIM.

“Defendants’ timeline for closing this transaction continues to grow longer with still no clear end date in sight,” wrote WSSH attorney Seth P. Hayes. “(WSSH) is now told this transaction will close on or before Aug. 7, 2026. Recent developments give WSSH cautious optimism that Defendants’ plan will bear fruit by their newest Aug. 7 deadline. But Defendants’ opacity throughout this process — and the Justices’ long history of litigation to avoid paying their debts — tint WSSH’s view with judicious skepticism.”

One of the outstanding issues, which will not be decided by the Justice family’s self-imposed Aug. 7 deadline, is approval by the West Virginia Lottery Commission of a transfer of the license for the Greenbrier Casino Club to the new holding company being set up by the Justices and KLIM. No such item was on the Lottery Commission’s Wednesday morning meeting.

The Lottery Commission approved the renewal for the Greenbrier Casino Club’s license in a June 30 emergency meeting, submitting the required audit report after they missed an internal March 20 deadline to submit the materials. The commission further ordered the Greenbrier to submit quarterly reviews of its finances to Lottery officials over the next 12 months. Lottery officials have since raised concerns about the Greenbrier’s debt load and state/federal tax liens.

The sentence given to Kevin Wayne Gardner, 42, is to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Moore Capito.

Gardner was sentenced on Monday and Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.

According to court records, law enforcement officers on June 16, 2025, conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Gardner in the Parkersburg area. Officers seized about 2 pounds of methamphetamine during a search of the vehicle.

Gardner has a criminal history that includes 10 prior felony convictions and multiple revocations of probation and parole, the district attorney’s office said in a release.

Capito acknowledged the investigation by the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

* Aaron Lee Clubb, 115 Dickens Drive Suite 10, Mineral Wells, was arraigned on a charge of fraudulent schemes and released on a $10,000 surety bond.

* Dana Russel Broyles, 1600½ Broadway Ave, Parkersburg, was arraigned on charges of operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and possession of a controlled substance. She was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

* Walter Bernard Bushman, 616 Putnam St., Parkersburg, was arraigned on a charge of possession of a controlled substance and released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

* Angelo Thomas Martinovich, 1100 Willowbrook Drive, Apt. 71, Parkersburg, was arraigned on a charge of third-offense indecent exposure and held on a $6,000 surety bond.

* A charge of battery was dismissed, without prejudice, against Jeremy Douglas Houchin, 800 Seventh St., Apt. 2, Parkersburg.

* A charge of domestic battery was dismissed, without prejudice, against Larry Michael Eddy, Parkersburg.

* Terry Allen Riley, 1307 23rd St., Vienna, pleaded guilty to domestic battery and was assessed $176.48. He was sentenced to home confinement for six months.

* A preliminary hearing was waived for a felon in possession of a firearm charge against Tera Sue Deem, 300 Ivy St., Parkersburg. The case was transferred to Wood County Circuit Court.

* A charge of domestic battery was dismissed, without prejudice, against Justin Leigh Shaffer, 2103 12th Ave., Parkersburg.

* David Jon Tibbs II, 177 Chateau Hills, Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to driving without evidence of registration and was assessed $181.48. As part of a plea agreement, a charge for no insurance was dismissed.

* Nathan Allen Murphy, P.O. Box 62, Smithsburg, pleaded guilty to third-offense driving while suspended, was assessed $326.48 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail (five already served, concurrent with charges in Ritchie County). As part of a plea agreement, charges for no insurance and expired vehicle registration were dismissed.

* Charges for passing a school bus and no proof of insurance were dismissed against Almalleli Cruz McManus, 5 Willowbrook Drive, Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence agreement.

* A charge of selling or furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age was dismissed against Joyce Ann Brown, 2513 Lenore St., Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence agreement.

* Marion Delbert Sweeney Jr., homeless, Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and was assessed $176.48 with a sentence of nine days in jail (already served). As part of a plea agreement, a charge for public intoxication was dismissed.

* Anthony Leon Wright II, 714 Riverview Drive, Belmont, pleaded guilty to driving without certificate of inspection or failure to produce certificate and was assessed $181.48.

* A charge of domestic battery was dismissed, without prejudice, against David Eugene Miller, Elizabeth. The alleged victim does not wish to pursue.

* Steven Wade Taylor, 3930 Eighth Ave., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to driving in an impaired state and was assessed $351.48 with a sentence of jail for one day, already served. As part of a plea agreement, charges for failure to use headlights and expired registration were dismissed.

* Jeffrey Allen Hamilton, 717 Hall St., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence (blood-alcohol level of 0.15 or more) and was assessed $481.48 with a jail sentence of 48 hours (three hours already served). As part of a plea agreement, a charge of leaving the scene of an accident – vehicle damage was dismissed.

* Joseph Byron Cain, 610 39th St., Vienna, pleaded guilty to driving while suspended or revoked and was assessed $276.48. As part of a plea agreement, a charge of failure to maintain vehicle insurance was dismissed.

* A charge of battery was dismissed against Nathan Daniel Bibbee, 1706 19th St., Parkersburg, upon completion of a deferred sentence agreement.

* Wendy Jo Bennett, 434 Blennerhassett Heights, Washington, W.Va., pleaded guilty to speeding in a school zone and was assessed $276.48.

* Robert Brye Mullenix, 79 Mulbright Drive, Williamstown, pleaded guilty to speeding (72 mph in a 55 mph zone) and was assessed $181.48.

* Leslie Karen Miller, 56 Alexander Drive, pleaded guilty to speeding (62 mph in a 45 mph zone) and was assessed $181.48.

* Jonathan Edward Seabolt, 79 Manor Drive, Mineral Wells, pleaded guilty to speeding (speed not listed) and was assessed $181.48.

* Richard Francis Miller, 1689 Colegate Drive, Marietta, pleaded guilty to speeding (62 mph in a 45 mph zone) and was assessed $196.48.

* Dalton Arley Painter, 916 32nd St., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to going left of center and speeding (55 mph in a 40 mph zone) and was assessed $362.96.

* James A. Gault II, 990 Forest Hills Road, Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle without an inspection certificate and was assessed $181.48. A charge of having an expired vehicle registration was dismissed after the DMV farm use exemption certificate was provided to the court.

* Tammy Nadine Canty, 926 12th St., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to hit and run causing bodily injury, was assessed $376.48 and was sentenced to 20 days in jail, suspended for six months of unsupervised probation. A charge of failure to maintain motor vehicle insurance was dismissed, per a plea agreement.

* George Alan Barnhart, 928 Newbanks Road, Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to second-offense driving on a suspended license and was assessed $276.48. Charges of improper registration and failure to maintain motor vehicle insurance were dismissed, per a plea agreement. He also pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle without an inspection certificate and having expired motor vehicle registration and was assessed $181.48.

* Nicholas R. Sandy, 809 Roseland Ave., Williamstown, pleaded guilty to failure to stop at a stop sign or yield at an intersection and was assessed $181.48.Charges of second-offense driving on a suspended license for DUI and having no proof of insurance were dismissed, per a plea agreement.

* Celoria Pearl Simpson, 1110 13th St., Parkersburg, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was assessed $206.48. She was ordered to pay a $108 civil penalty to the Walmart store in Vienna. She also pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a controlled substance, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, suspended for one year of unsupervised probation. A charge of not having a valid driver’s license was dismissed.

* Michael Hunter Fox, 53 Society Hill Road, Mineral Wells, had charges of having no insurance and operating a vehicle without evidence of registration dismissed.

* Austin Wayne Davis, 46 Davis Lane, Davisville, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was assessed $216.48. He was ordered to pay a $50 civil penalty to the GoMart store on the Staunton Turnpike in Parkersburg.

* Majed Abdullah Maliki, 3311 Spruce St., Parkersburg, had a charge of shoplifting dismissed after a successful three-month deferred sentencing program.

* David Alan Full, 1000 Kemper St., Apt. 12, Parkersburg, had a preliminary hearing waived on two counts of sex offender registration-life registrant-false or inaccurate information. The case was sent to Circuit Court.

* Fawn C. Keith, 49715 State Route 124, Racine, pleaded guilty to speeding (69 mph in a 55 mph zone) and assessed $181.48.

* Terry Mitchell Gibson, 119 Sunset Lane, Marietta, pleaded guilty to having no insurance and was assessed $376.48. A charge of improper registration was dismissed, per a plea agreement.

* Austin Lewis Moss, 1551 Camp Barbe Road, Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to DUI, was assessed $471.48 and was sentenced to 24 hours in jail, already served.

* Timothy Dwane Riser, 3788 Rising Sun Ridge Road, Walker, pleaded guilty to striking an unattended vehicle, was assessed $181.48 and was sentenced to 10 days in jail, suspended for six months of unsupervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution within 30 days.

* Barry Michael Wolfe, Williamstown, had charges of domestic battery and domestic assault dismissed as the alleged victim does not wish to prosecute.

* David Michael Carr, 2212 36th St., Apt. G, Parkersburg, was arraigned on charges of burglary and malicious assault and released on a $50,000 surety bond.

* Larry Dean Wallace, 1804 Covert St., Parkersburg, was arraigned on charges of driving on a suspended license and having no insurance and released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

* Michael Lee Ball, 312 Center St., Cardington, Ohio, was arraigned on charges of battery of a police officer, obstruction, failure to process and trespassing and was held on a $6,000 surety bond.

* Blake I. Whited, 823 Hugh St., Parkersburg, was arraigned on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, striking a fixture, having no license and reckless driving and was released on a $500 personal recognizance bond.

Judge Robert Waters is reviewing the motion as well as the state’s response in the case of Barbara Cupp. A representative of his office said Tuesday the judge has not made a ruling yet and the matter had not been set for a hearing.

Cupp, 33, was originally found guilty on March 27 of the March 2025 shooting death of 37-year-old Matthew Bills of Williamstown, with whom she had been in a relationship. Cupp faces 10 to 40 years in prison.

At a hearing last month, defense attorney George J. Cosenza made a motion for a new trial as a result of juror Chadwick E. Parsons knowing a lot of the people involved in the case and questions of whether those relationships were more personal than he indicated when he was being interviewed as a potential juror. In many cases he said they just knew people “from school” because they lived in a small town.

During testimony at the hearing, Parsons admitted he had an intimate “friends-with-benefits” type of relationship with Cupp’s mother years ago after a photo of them together was entered into evidence.

Waters had Cosenza and Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure file motions stating why the defense should have a new trial and why the state believes the verdict should stand. The defense and the state filed their responses on July 17.

“The right to a trial by an impartial, objective jury in a criminal case is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution,” Cosenza wrote in his motion. “A meaningful and effective voir dire of the jury panel is necessary to effectuate that fundamental right.

“The object of jury selection is to secure jurors who are not only free from improper prejudice and bias, but who are also free from the suspicions of improper prejudice or bias.”

His motion to set aside the verdict and grant a new trial was based upon the “disqualification or incompetency of a juror.”

“It is clear from the testimony elicited during the motion hearing that, during voir dire, Chadwick Parsons falsely answered questions proposed to him,” Cosenza wrote.

He brought up Parsons’ interactions and personal connections to people in the case, including Bills and witnesses for the state as well as socializing with them at gatherings when they were in school which witnesses testified to at the hearing.

“If the criminal justice system in this State is to be fair and equitable to all sides, it cannot sanction by any means, jurors, who are not truthful during voir dire,” Cosenza wrote. “Without candid, complete and truthful answers by jurors, the court and counsel cannot make informed decisions as to whether that juror should be challenged for cause or peremptorily excused.”

Cosenza wrote Parsons had “intimate knowledge” about people in the case which he should have shared during the jury selection process.

“His willful failure to do so prejudiced the defendant in a significant manner,” as Parsons was one of 12 jurors who voted to find Cupp guilty, he wrote.

In his response, Lefebure said Parsons acknowledged knowing Cupp and Bills as well as other witnesses in having gone to school with them. During the voir dire process, Parsons was brought back to the judge’s chamber for further questioning where he said he knew them from school, and that he had been represented by Cosenza in another matter, but “it would not impact his decisions in this case.”

“Parson further indicated he was not friends with (Bills), just that, in a small community, similarly aged kids would congregate, and that this was 20-25 years ago,” Lefebure wrote.

During the hearing, Parsons said one of the witnesses was close to his sister and had spent the night at their house on a number of occasions, but they themselves were not friends.

“He hadn’t had contact with her in the last (20) or so years other than possibly running into her at a gas station or store,” Lefebure wrote. “Parsons maintained during voir dire that he could always remain impartial and have no bias, either for or against the Defendant or the State, due to these relationships.”

The motion to dismiss is based on testimony from witnesses about a few parties the juror attended with the defendant and the victim from 20 years ago to say that he falsely answered questions, he wrote.

“The defense wants the Court to take the leap that, since he didn’t state that he was at a couple of parties (20-25) years ago, he falsely answered questions, and therefore a new trial is warranted,” Lefebure wrote.

The Court provided the opportunity for Parsons to be asked further questions, but Cosenza did not.

“Even more important, (Cupp) was aware of these relationships … and did not ask Mr. Cosenza to make further inquiry,” Lefebure wrote. “Ms.Cupp was hoping that her relationship with the juror would benefit her, and now that she has been convicted, she is raising the issue.

“She cannot have it both ways.”

Lefebure wrote that Parsons’ sexual relationship with Cupp’s mother 20 years ago and Parsons’ sister’s friendship with a witness as the basis for a new trial were not supported by case law. There were questions of whether Cupp herself might have had a relationship with Parsons. Cupp denied that, and Lefebure wrote that should have prompted the defense to ask further questions of Parsons which they did not do.

“(Cupp) knew of these relationships and thought it would help her in this trial; why else would defense counsel not ask a single question of Mr. Parsons?” he wrote. “The Defendant hasn’t provided any facts in support of the motion showing that prejudice or injustice occurred as a result … they simply want the Court to infer prejudice.

“At all times, Mr. Parsons indicated that he was free of bias and that his decision was not influenced by his knowledge of any of the individuals. Accordingly, the State asks this Court to deny the motion for a new trial.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

In a memorandum opinion and order released Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston denied a motion made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a February lawsuit against Secretary of State Kris Warner seeking to compel the production of unredacted statewide voter registration lists.

Johnston, appointed by former Republican president George W. Bush, also granted a motion made by the Secretary of State’s Office to dismiss DOJ’s lawsuit against the state brought by Harmeet K. Dhillon, a U.S. assistant attorney general with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.

Attorneys for the DOJ claimed authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to inspect the Statewide Voter Registration System. While voter eligibility is determined by local county clerks, the state is responsible for maintaining the database.

The DOJ said it had the right to investigate compliance with federal election laws, such as the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). But the court denied the request and dismissed the lawsuit. Johnston determined that the federal government failed to provide a specific factual basis or a legally valid purpose for demanding sensitive personal data, such as partial social security numbers.

“Clearly, this demand is devoid of any factual basis,” Johnston wrote. “The demand includes no indication that West Virginia is suspected to be noncompliant with the list maintenance requirements of HAVA or the NVRA, nor does it point to any anomalies in West Virginia’s voter registration data.”

The DOJ began sending letters to state election officials last summer requiring states to turn over voter registration databases to federal law enforcement officials. DOJ officials first contacted the Secretary of State’s Office last September seeking this data, with follow-up letters sent in December and January. The DOJ filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State’s Office on Feb. 26 after Warner sent a written response to the DOJ denying its request.

In a statement released Monday evening from the National Association of Secretaries of State summer conference in South Dakota, Warner said that Johnston’s ruling was a victory for the rule of law, voter privacy and for state and county election officials.

“From the outset, my office has maintained that West Virginia law prohibits the disclosure of sensitive personal information contained in the statewide voter registration system absent legal authority requiring its release,” Warner said. “Today’s ruling confirms that our position was well-founded and consistent with both our statutory obligations and our responsibility to protect the personal information of West Virginia’s registered voters.”

According to Johnston, DOJ officials did not begin trying to provide justification for seeking West Virginia’s records well into the litigation. Johnston determined that any demand for voting records under the Civil Rights Act “must relate to a purpose of investigating violations of individuals’ voting rights.”

“While (DOJ) argues that assessing compliance with HAVA and the NVRA does align with this purpose, Plaintiff’s only apparent motivation to assess list maintenance compliance involves generalized nationwide concerns that voter registration records may contain too many names,” Johnston wrote. “Plaintiff must state a ‘purpose’ that relates to an investigation into potential violations of an individual’s right to vote. It has not done so.”

State Code only allows the release of redacted voter registration files. The Secretary of State’s Office has also argued that the DOJ request violates several federal privacy laws. Johnston agreed, stating that courts in the past have agreed that states have a right to redact certain voter registration data.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the DOJ is seeking unredacted voter registration files from 48 states and Washington D.C., filing 31 lawsuits against states that have refused. Eight of those lawsuits were against states with Republican election officials. Thirteen states, including West Virginia, have had their DOJ court cases dismissed.

“As West Virginia’s Chief Election Official, I remain committed to ensuring that our elections are conducted with integrity, transparency and full compliance with both state and federal law,” Warner said.

President Donald Trump is pushing for a federal voter registration database to remove ineligible voters, such as illegal immigrants, from state voter rolls traditionally handled by state and local election officials. Trump signed an executive order last year instructing federal agencies to obtain state voter registration records, directing the Department of Homeland Security to cross-check publicly available voter registration information against NVRA records and federal immigration databases.

“We share the Department of Justice’s commitment to enforcing federal voter registration list-maintenance requirements and ensuring that only eligible voters remain on the rolls,” Warner said. “Our disagreement has never been with that goal, but with the means sought in this instance, which would have required the disclosure of sensitive personal information in a manner prohibited by West Virginia law.”