13 people indicted by Grand Jury

Thirteen people were indicted by the Morgan County Grand Jury last week for crimes including the sexual assault of a teenaged girl and the malicious assault of two police officers, as well as burglaries, thefts and frauds.

The Grand Jury met on Tuesday, April 3, with Circuit Judge Gina Groh presiding.

An indictment is an allegation for which the jury felt there was sufficient evidence to formally charge the person.

Sexual assault

Harry R. Asquith, 35, of Mercury Way, Berkeley Springs, was indicted for two counts of sexual assault, third degree. He is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl in March, 2006 and again in September, 2006.

Assault on police

James R. Spencer, 50, of Amelia Street, Paw Paw, was indicted for two counts of malicious assault, and single counts of destruction of property, fleeing with damage, fleeing causing injury, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, leaving the scene of an accident with damage, and possession of marijuana.

All of the charges against Spencer arose from a March 21 incident in Paw Paw in which Spencer allegedly drove away after police had stopped him. The two officers were pinned between the driver's door and the vehicle and were dragged some distance, according to police reports.

Spencer's bond was set at $10,000.

Burglaries

Richard A. Mutter, 28, was indicted in connection with the burglary of a home in Great Cacapon and a break-in at Doris' Deli there. He is presently in jail in Maryland, according to court documents.

He was indicted for burglary of the home on January 19 and for the grand larceny of knives, guns, a diamond necklace, CDs, DVDs and $700 cash from the residence.

For his alleged role in a break-in at Doris' Deli on January 15, Mutter was indicted along with a co-conspirator — Daniel C. Courtney, 19, of Springbrook Drive, Berkeley Springs.

In that case, Courtney and Mutter were each indicted for breaking and entering, conspiracy and the grand larceny of a cash register, more than 200 packs of cigarettes, rolling papers, pipe screens, lighters and $185 in cash.

Jason M. Payne, 24, was indicted for two counts of breaking and entering in connection with break-ins at Century 21 and Sutton & Janelle law offices in Berkeley Springs on November 21.

Payne was also indicted for the grand larceny of a laptop computer and printer and for destroying a door to gain entry.



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In addition, Payne was indicted for transferring stolen property in a separate incident earlier in November, and for possession of marijuana in December.

Payne is in the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

Shannon D. Marshall, 20, of Barber Lane, Berkeley Springs, was indicted for breaking and entering, attempted B & E, destruction of property (a window and door screen), all in connection with a break-in at a Highland Ridge home on February 20.

In addition, Marshall was indicted for driving while his license was revoked.

Theft at school

Brandon L. Munson, 19, of Eppinger Road, Berkeley Springs, was indicted for grand larceny and for two counts of conspiring with Trevor Widmyer to steal items and money from a locker room at Berkeley Springs High School on January 31, 2006.

Munson is accused of stealing more than $1,700 worth of goods, including four iPods, four cell phones, two CD players, a Play Station, 30 CDs in a case, as well as three wallets, bank cards, phone cards, gift cards and about $100 cash.

Fraud schemes

Jonathon L. T. Day, 25, of Jared Way, Great Cacapon, was indicted for three counts of forgery and three counts of uttering (passing a forged document).

Day is accused for changing the tip amounts on credit card receipts in three separate incidents last fall while he was working at Panorama at the Peak.

Virginia M. Weigle, 21, of Autumn Acres Road, Berkeley Springs, was indicted for a fraudulent scheme. She allegedly gave three checks totalling $2,984 to a woman last April and May, knowing there were insufficient funds in her account.

Other crimes

Brant E. Hogbin, 21, of Johnsons Mill Road, Berkeley Springs, was indicted for a felony, third-offense of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages last September.

Hope Twigg, 24, was indicted for aiding and abetting in the delivery of a methadone, a controlled substance, last September. She was in the Eastern Regional Jail at last report.

Robert Conti, 46, of Elkins was indicted for failing to pay child support for two children since June, 2004.

George Schech, 34, of Martinsburg was indicted for failing to pay child support for two children since June, 2003.

Arraignments

Judge Groh set arraignments of those indicted for Monday, April 16, in Morgan County Circuit Court. At that time, the accused persons will enter pleas and have trial dates and bonds set.