State v. Crystal Hess The defendant appeared in court along with her attorney Timothy Gentilozzi. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the prosecution. The hearing was to withdraw a plea on a deferred adjudication from a felony embezzlement case. Hess completed a two year period of her deferred adjudication. As part of the agreement, she waived the statute of limitations on the misdemeanor petty larceny charge and plead guilty. She was fined $100 with no misdemeanor court costs. Her record was cleared of the felony charge.
“This is one of the good cases,” Judge Shaffer said.
State v. Ronald Carr The defendant appeared in court. He was transported from Tygart Valley Corrections. Carr was accompanied by his attorney Timothy Gentilozzi for a sentencing hearing stemming from a deferred adjudication on a once count of grand larceny. Special Prosecutor Richard Shryok from Randolph County represented the prosecution. A motion to revoke was filed following by a hearing on April 23, 2025. The reasons giving in court for the motion to revoke were given as testing positive for alcohol, methamphetamine and not staying in contact or cooperating with probation, among others. The judge reviewed the pre-sentence investigation. Shryok asked Judge Shaffer for 1 to 10 years of incarceration.
“Mr. Carr was given a chance to walk away from this without a felony on his record,” Shryok said.
Gentilozzi asked Judge Shaffer for leniency for his client due to his troubled past. He related that his client lost a child at a young age and he had been raised by grandparents. Gentilozzi also related his client’s past problems with theft and drugs. Gentilozzi admitted that his client did have a criminal record. He asked that Judge Shaffer consider probation due to his client having little time left to serve.
Carr gave no statement.
Judge Shaffer said that deferred adjudications are good and bad. Deferred adjudications are good if completed, but become bad when not. He also said that only 36 days had transpired between the plea agreement and when the motion to revoke was filed.
“I do not condone drug use,” Shaffer said.
Carr was sentenced to 1-10 years of incarceration and court costs and remanded into custody. He has a right to appeal.
State v. Jesse Mowery The defendant appeared in court. He was transported from Tygart Valley Corrections for a plea hearing. Mowery was accompanied by his attorney Timothy Prentice. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the Prosecution. Mowery plead guilty to one count of grand larceny in connection with a stolen car in November of 2024. Wilkins asked that Judge Shaffer consider no deferred adjudication, a no contact order, restitution and a 1-10 year prison sentence to run concurrent with any Pendleton County sentencing.
Judge Shaffer questioned Mowery and made sure he was aware of his rights and what rights he was waiving through his plea of guilty, as well as made sure he understood the charges that he was facing. Judge Shaffer also questioned Mowery on how many times he met with is attorney and how thoroughly he was explained the plea agreement.
Wilkins said the charges stemmed from a Jeep stolen on or about November 4, 2024 from a car repair shop. The Jeep was later located in Seneca with the defendant. A female with the defendant said that he was in the Jeep and she was following behind in a sedan. That was when the defendant was taken into custody.
Judge Shaffer accepted the plea agreement. Count two of the case was dismissed. Sentencing on the case is scheduled for June.
State v. Wendall Morgan The defendant appeared in court along with his attorney Aaron Yoho. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the Prosecution. Morgan appeared for sentencing for a Felony Prohibited Person in Possession of a Concealed Firearm. Two other cases were dismissed. Wilkins asked for no contact and restitution, as well as recommended a 2 year sentence of incarceration, suspended. The pre-sentencing report was received and reviewed with no revisions.
Yoho recommended to the court that his client receive probation. He said his client had no problems while on supervision. Yoho also stated that his client holds two jobs, has a family and intends to make restitution. The defense also supplied the court with letters of support on behalf of Morgan.
“I do not envision Mr. Morgan being a problem going forward,” Yoho said.
Judge Shaffer said that Morgan had an extensive criminal history from 2008 to 2024, 16 years worth. He asked Morgan why all of the cases got dismissed. Morgan stated that he did everything he was asked by the court. Judge Shaffer also asked about discrepancies in the pre-sentencing report regarding Morgan’s income. Morgan reported he made $18/hr, but only claimed to make between $6,000 to $7,000 per year, Judge Shaffer said, including his spouse’s income and self employment.
“You think idle hands might be why you’re in trouble all the time?” Judge Shaffer said.
Morgan was sentenced to 3 years in the penitentiary, suspended, 4 years probation, $5,500 restitution to be paid within two year, pay court cost and not use or possess illicit substances. He also has a stipulation that he must work 40 hours a week and for every week that he does not work 40 hours, he must complete community service.
“You got a long criminal history here,” Judge Shaffer said.
