By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Clayton Mallow appeared before Judge Steven Shaffer Monday, March 9th, having been brought forth from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on Probation Violation charges following a trip to Middle School Basketball game. Mallow was represented by his Attorney Tim Gentilozzi. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the prosecution during the revocation hearing.
Wilkins informed Judge Shaffer that Mallow, who had been placed on home confinement by Judge Courrier after pleading guilty to five felony counts of fraudulent use of an access device in October 2025. Mallow was seen recently at a Basketball game without permission, a fact Wilkins said that Mallow did not contest when confronted by officers.
Wilkins went before the court asking for sanction against Mallow for probation violation. Under an agreement with the defense, rather than the usual 60 days in jail, due to Mallow holding three separate jobs, the agreement was made to add an additional six months to his sentence. Wilkins additionally requested that there be a no contact order with anyone under 18 placed, as well.
Wilkins explained the case to Judge Shaffer, who had not initially preceded over the case. Wilkins said that Mallow had been an insurance company employee in Parsons and had stolen customer account numbers to purchase gifts online for young boys throughout the Tucker, Randolph and Monongalia County area in exchange for dirty socks and underwear. In Tucker County alone, Wilkins said there were at least 10 athletic boys involved. Wilkins said that while she considered the case to be sexually motivated, Judge Courrier chose not to. Wilkins even equated Mallow’s conduct to grooming.
“That is why I feel it is extremely inappropriate for him to be at a Junior High Basketball game,” Wilkins said.
Gentilozzi agreed to the six month sanction, but asserted that his client was not having any contact with any “young kids.” Gentilozzi also said that Mallow was accompanied at the game by his mother and attended a game at Harman School in his community to support a relative. He further argued that Mallow does not try to contact juveniles and that his losing his jobs due to incarceration does not help his rehabilitation.
On the matter of the dirty socks and underwear, Gentilozzi said, “I think he just has an odd sense of humor some time.”
Judge Shaffer granted the six month extension of sentence, but was stern with Mallow. The court also granted the no contact with minors other than family.
“I’m not Judge Courrier,” Judge Shaffer said. “You’re lucky I wasn’t here.”
Judge Shaffer informed Mallow that he was strict when it came to probation and Home Confinement cases. Mallow was told by the court that he was only allowed to travel to and from work, nowhere else, period.
“If you stop at Walmart and get some gloves for one of your jobs, you’re in violation,” Judge Shaffer said. “If you stop and fill your car with gas, you’re in violation.”
Mallow was originally sentenced to two years of Home Confinement to run concurrent to any Randolph County charges. Wilkins said that Mallow has already fully paid his restitution and his probation is considered as concurrent.
“What you did was a violation,” Judge Shaffer said. “All you had to do was pick up a phone and contact Community Corrections.”
Under the new sentence, Mallow was to be released from the Regional Jail on March 10th at 11 a.m. Mallow is to continue to be electronically monitored and will follow up in future with the Probation Office.
