Grafton, West Virginia, man gets 10-year prison term for soliciting minor via computer in Harrison County

The state and defense attorney Tom Dyer joined in recommending probation.

Dyer noted that Shay had been sober from alcohol use for about a year through his own work, and that Shay also had been regularly receiving behavioral health counseling.

A behavioral health expert’s report also said Shay could be considered for probation.

That wasn’t enough for Harrison County Circuit Judge Thomas A. Bedell.

The court didn’t hear anything about a plan to address the recommendations of the expert, Bedell said.

Also, just within the last 30 days, Shay scored in the “problem/risk range” of an antisocial evaluation, and as a “severe risk” on an impulsivity scale, Bedell said.

The judge said he didn’t believe Shay had accepted responsibility, noting the defendant had partially blamed his drinking for driving to meet the girl.

Shay wasn’t “so drunk” that he couldn’t drive to the meet, Bedell said.

Additionally, Shay had child porn on his phone, which was a concern. And Shay gave a “disingenuous statement” to the officer where Shay said he had been trying to help the victim, Bedell said.

Shay receives credit for time served. He will be eligible for parole after serving 2 1/2 years.

Also:

— Harrison Magistrate Warren “Gizzy” Davis set bond at $50,000, cash or surety, for David Patrick Buckhannon Jr., 51, of Lost Creek.

Trooper A.J. Trupo charged Buckhannon with malicious assault and use of a firearm during commission of a felony.

The complaint alleges Buckhannon knocked out a female’s tooth Monday with an uppercut to the jaw.

Additionally, Buckhannon retrieved a .22-caliber rifle and loaded it during the domestic disturbance, Trupo alleged.

With law enforcement present, an intoxicated Buckhannon called the woman names and said his arrest would “only make things worse,” according to the complaint.

Buckhannon has a 2014 conviction for misdemeanor domestic assault. That conviction prohibits his possession of firearms, Trupo alleged.

Trooper A.N. Alton assisted.

— A 23-year-old from Akron, Ohio, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld’s office.

Tyler Jordan Sands was sentenced this week by Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh.

The government, investigating an allegation that Sands was traveling from Akron to Clarksburg to sell drugs, seized 500 fentanyl pills, powdered fentanyl, cash and a handgun, according to Ihlenfeld’s office. Sands isn’t permitted to have guns due to a prior conviction, according to the government.

The court also imposed a three-year term of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted. The ATF and Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.

— Ronald W. Fulk has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison by Kleeh for failure to register as a sex offender.

Fulk also will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life once he finishes his sentence, Kleeh ruled.

Fulk failed to update his registration from June 22, 2022, to last July 6 in Marion County, the government alleged.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner represented Ihlenfeld’s office.

— Bruce Charles Edgell, 40, of Center Point, has entered pleas to felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and third-offense driving with an operator’s license revoked or suspended for DUI, according to Harrison Prosecutor Rachel Romano’s office.

Chief Judge Christopher J. McCarthy set sentencing May 21.

Harrison Deputy Detective J.R. Flanagan investigated.

— Cody Jess Stradley, 34, of Lumberport, has entered a plea to fleeing with reckless indifference.

Chief Judge McCarthy postponed a decision on plea acceptance/rejection.

Assistant Prosecutor Gina Renzelli represented the state.

Stradley fled recklessly on a motorcycle last July 18 after Harrison Deputy J.R. McManus II and Deputy D. Kraemer tried to conduct a traffic stop, according to the complaint.

— Joey Alex Moore, 31, of Clarksburg, has been charged with third-offense domestic battery by Clarksburg Patrol Officer T. Merritt.

Moore is accused of biting a female on the left cheek, choking her and grabbing her elbow on Monday morning.

Moore has prior domestic battery convictions from 2017 in Taylor County and 2018 in Harrison County, according to Merritt.

Magistrate Davis set a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

— Cynthia Lynette Hughes has entered pleas before Judge Bedell to four counts of misdemeanor child neglect creating substantial risk of injury and will be sentenced June 6, according to Romano’s office.

— Logan Matthew Wilson, 22, of Clarksburg, has entered pleas to two misdemeanor possession charges and been sentenced to probation by Harrison Magistrate Mike Weiss. The pleas resolved a case in which Wilson first faced two felony drug charges. Wilson agreed to report to the Day Report Center as part of probation.