The following criminal complaint has been filed in the Tucker County Magistrate office:
Daniel Kenton Leach, of Kerens, was charged with one felony count of Wanton endangerment involving a firearm. According to the complaint on Friday, Sept. 22 Patrolman First Class N.C. Gidley received a call from Tucker County 911 in regards to an active domestic situation. They advised that the reporting party (RP) stated that her sister had left with the daughter from their residence earlier in the day and had come to the RP’s residence for safety from her husband. RP advised that the male subject, later identified as Daniel Leach, was driving around in a white van which had Elkins Motorsports stickers on the side, in an attempt to locate the wife and daughter.
Gidley responded in that direction along with Deputy Gidley of the TCSO, Officer Prickett of the WVDNR and Trooper Clark of the WVSP and Tucker County 911 advised the subject had pulled a firearm on the RP’s husband and was reported as being on Billings Ave. near Mill Race Park. Pfc. Gidley was driving down First St. when he passed what he believed to be the subject’s vehicle. Tucker 911 then advised that the subject had just passed Kidwell’s Auto Parts. Prickett observed the vehicle approaching the traffic light at the intersection of First and Main St. Pfc. Gidley turned around and approached the vehicle as Prickett and Deputy Gidley pulled into position for a high-risk traffic stop as the subject was allegedly reported to be in armed with a shotgun. The stop was completed without incident and the subject was placed in handcuffs. A shotgun and ammunition were located in the passenger seat of the vehicle.
Leach stated that he and his wife had been fighting when she left. He was looking for her when he was informed they were in Parsons, so he drove over and tried looking for them in the trailer park. He looked at other places in Parsons then went back to the trailer park. He turned around and started back to the trailer park when he stated he heard someone yell, which then turned into a verbal altercation with the male. Leach stated the male got out of his vehicle, along with the passenger and both approached his vehicle. Leach allegedly stated he grabbed the shotgun and stated, “reach in here big boy, reach in here.” At this time he left the area.
After the subject was detained and the vehicle was moved from the roadway by Deputy Gidley, he and Prickett went to the Overlook Dr. residence and met with the RP and victim. Deputy Gidley then contacted PFC. Gidley and advised he obtain a statement from the victim of the incident. Deputy Gidley advised that the victim was able to accurately describe the shotgun as being a short shotgun with no butt-stock. Deputy Gidley informed PFC. Gidley that the second victim was no longer at Overlook Dr. residence and could not be located at the time.
The statement reads that the victim identified Leach’s vehicle and confronted him. The victim told Leach to leave and not cause trouble. The victim then exited his vehicle at which point, he states that Leach allegedly produced a “small shotgun” and pointed it at the victim. The victim stated that leach then pointed it at the other individual that was with the victim and allegedly said, “What are you going to do bitch, I’ll shoot you too.” The victim then stated they then got back into the vehicle and left the area.
It was determined from the statements of the victim and Leach that this incident occurred in the area of Billings Ave, near Hampton Dr. and Memorial Dr. Leach was then informed that he was under arrest for Wanton Endangerment and was read his Miranda Rights. He was then transported by Pfc. Gidley to the WVSP Barracks in Parsons for processing and then to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
The following property transfers have been recorded in the Tucker County Clerk’s office:
Jesse A. Lewis and Shasta N. Pifer, Dry Fork District, 1 acre to Conrad H. Dilkes, $190,000.
David L. Riggleman, Dry Fork District, Lot 3 Northface Timberline Four Seasons Resort to Anthony J. Dick and Elizabeth A. Fitton, $130,000.
Kevin D. Ritz and Marita Ritz, Dry Fork District, Unit 80 Deerfield Village Condo to Sharon D. Hammer, $400,000.
Kevin Wille and Laura Wille, Dry Fork District, Unit 9 – 303 at Herzwood Condos to White Dilley Investments LLC, $260,000.
Michael P. Horne and Christine Horne, Dry Fork District, Tract 8 Spruce Glades 5.52 acres to Brett Lambo and Brooke Daniels, $345,000.
The following marriage has been recorded in the Tucker County Clerk’s office:
Mark Allan Melvin to Cara Lynn Slider on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.