Man convicted in Rich Oil robbery accused of being lifetime recidivist

Bedell then set a trial on the recidivist allegation to be held in August, according to Harrison Prosecutor Rachel Romano’s office.

Roof would face 5-18 years in prison if he somehow could defeat the repeat-offender information, and would be able to see the parole board in five years.

However, that would mean he would have to prove he was not the same person previously convicted of a federal drug crime in Northern West Virginia and who also committed a felony previously for which he was convicted in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Superior Court.

If Roof lost the recidivist trial, Bedell would sentence him to life in prison, with possibility of parole in 15 years, but with no guarantee that he’d ever get out from behind bars.

Roof may have another option. It’s believed Harrison Assistant Prosecutor Susan Morris and Roof’s lawyer, Jack Clark, are in talks in which the state would forgo the lifetime recidivist filing if Roof agrees to plead guilty to being a two-time recidivist. In that instance, Roof’s second-degree robbery term would be bumped up to 10-18 years, meaning he probably would end up serving 10 years.

The investigation into the Rich Oil robbery was led by Clarksburg Police Detective Sgt. Mike Walsh.

Also:

— Joseph Buck Thompson, 29, of Clarksburg, has pleaded guilty to felony entry of a building other than a dwelling, according to Romano’s office.

Harrison Assistant Defenders Beth Gross and Lorena Litten represented Thompson, and sought concurrent sentencing with a term of 3-35 years the defendant already is serving for Harrison County crimes.

The judge made the sentence concurrent in part, by allowing the term of 1-10 years to coincide with the sentence of 3-35 beginning Thursday.

Codefendant Jason Ryan Taylor, 23, of Anmoore, pleaded guilty in late May to felony conspiracy to commit entry of a building other than a dwelling, and is to be sentenced next week. Morris and the defense will recommend probation for Taylor.

Taylor and Thompson were arrested in a break-in at Kickstands Bar and Grill in Clarksburg.

Clarksburg Police Detective Sgt. Jason Webber alleged the caper quickly went awry.

First, Thompson forgot to use the hood on his sweatshirt and could be seen on surveillance video walking in front of the business, Webber has alleged. Then, after Thompson forced open a door with a claw hammer, the men entered and stole nine bank bags, Webber has alleged.

They fled when they realized surveillance cameras were active inside, heading to a wooded area to count their haul, according to Webber.

That’s when they learned they had made off with about $1 in cash, and it’s also when Thompson accidentally dialed 911 via his cell phone, Webber has alleged.

During a 4-minute, 44-second conversation that was taped by 911, the men can be heard “describing their displeasure only getting one cash dollar,” Webber has alleged.

“Also heard ... the two males discussing a return to the business,” Webber has alleged.

When a 911 dispatcher called the number back, “a male answered stating it was an accidental call and identified himself as Joseph Thompson,” Webber has alleged.

Additionally, a SIM card was found at the scene that was associated with a TracFone wireless device that had been issued to Taylor, Webber has alleged.

— Nathan Allen Eakle, 27, of Lost Creek, has waived his probable cause hearing before Harrison Magistrate Keith Marple, according to Romano’s office.

Eakle is charged by State Police Cpl. Steven Swiger with felony failure to comply with the state’s sex offender registry.

Eakle didn’t report the disconnection of his Internet service and his subsequent use of a relative’s, Swiger has alleged.

— Alexander Wolf “Senator” Weinstein, 31, of Clarksburg, has waived his probable cause hearing before Marple, according to Romano’s office.

Clarksburg Patrol Officer Justin Moore has charged Weinstein with felony third-offense domestic violence.

Weinstein threw an ax at a closed glass storm door his wife was standing behind on June 24, and she was struck in the leg by the ax and broken glass, Moore has alleged. The woman had minor cuts from the glass and a bruise from the ax, Moore has alleged.

— Hunter Queen, 20, of Nutter Fort, has been charged with felony delivery of heroin by the Street Crimes and Drug unit.

The defendant sold five heroin stamp bags May 26 for $60, the complaint alleges.

Harrison Magistrate Tammy Marple set a $25,000 bond.

— Deputy U.S. Marshal Dustin Hotsinpiller has accused Roger Glen Gooden II, 30, of escaping from the Dismas Charities of Clarksburg Halfway House on Sunday.

Gooden was apprehended and jailed by Tuesday.

The federal charge alleges Gooden left the halfway house at 11 p.m. June 25, but was picked up by an unknown female and never arrived at his job site as required.

Dismas Facility Director Kelly Davis reported Gooden was considered on escape status at 9 a.m. Sunday, according to Hotsinpiller’s court filing.

Gooden was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison back in 2012 by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy case.

— A fourth grand larceny charge has been lodged against Sarah Ann (Bullough) Cecil, 32, of Fairmont.

All the charges allege theft of items from Harrison County homes she cleaned. In the latest count, lodged by Harrison Deputy Josh Cumberledge, Cecil is accused of stealing about $14,400 in jewelry from a Bridgeport-area home over a span of about 10 weeks earlier this year.

The other three grand larceny charges (two investigated by Bridgeport Police Sgt. Charles Carpenter, the other by Harrison Deputy Jeffrey Swisher) already have advanced to Harrison County Circuit Court.

Cecil’s bond on the latest charge was set at $25,000 by Magistrate Tammy Marple.

— Derek Scott Ash, 25, of Clarksburg, has pleaded guilty before Matish to misdemeanor possession. The court sentenced Ash to jail for 119 days, with credit for time served, according to Romano’s office. The Harrison County Street Crimes and Drug unit investigated.

— Dashawn R. Holyfield, 21, of Clarksburg, has pleaded guilty before Matish to misdemeanor possession, according to Romano’s office. Holyfield will be sentenced in August. The Street Crimes and Drug unit investigated.