All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Upshur County Grand Jury returns 33 indictments on Monday

BUCKHANNON — An Upshur County Grand Jury returned 33 indictments on Monday, according to a press release from the prosecuting attorney’s office. The indictments are as follows:

Corey Shayne Bender, 32, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count, and Possession of a Controlled Narcotic Substance with the Intent to Deliver, Fentanyl in Combination with Xylazine, a felony, one count.

David Bradley Casto, 19, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Burglary, a felony, one count; Destruction of Property, a misdemeanor, one count; Domestic Battery, a misdemeanor, one count; Battery, a misdemeanor, one count; and Assault, a misdemeanor two counts.

Kenneth Lee Cutright, 37, of Hacker Valley, was indicted for Gross Child Neglect Creating Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury, a felony, one count; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Concealed Firearm, a felony, one count; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, a misdemeanor, one count; Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, with the Intent to Deliver, a felony, one count; Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count; and Conspiracy to Violate Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code, a felony, one count.

James Golden Reynolds, 33, of Lost Creek, was indicted for Use of Obscene Matter with the Intent to Seduce a Minor, a felony, two counts; and Distribution and Display of Obscene Matter to a Minor, a felony, two counts.

Dominic Shawn Smith, 20, of Crawford, was indicted for Grand Larceny, a felony, one count; Destruction of Property, a misdemeanor, one count; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Concealed Firearm, a felony, one count; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, a misdemeanor, one count; and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, a misdemeanor, one count.

Terry Forrest Beeson, 63, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, section 401 of the W.Va. Code, a felony, one count.

William Henry Cole, IV, 36, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Domestic Violence, Third or Subsequent Offense, a felony, one count, and Driving While License Revoked for DUI, Third or Subsequent Offense, a felony, one count.

Christopher Francis Esquer, 59, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Driving While License Revoked for DUI, Third or Subsequent Offense, a felony, two counts.

Jeffory Lee Cowger, 45, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Gross Child Neglect Creating a Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury, a felony, two counts, and Domestic Battery, a misdemeanor, two counts.

George Lee Singleton, 40, of Elkins, was indicted for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, a felony, one count; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Concealed Firearm, a felony, two counts; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, a misdemeanor, one count; Driving While License Revoked for DUI, Third or Subsequent Offense, a felony, one count; and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, a misdemeanor, one count.

Savion Valek Farmer, 20, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Wanton Endangerment, a felony, three counts; Unlawful Shooting in the Street, a misdemeanor, three counts; and Brandishing a Deadly Weapon, a misdemeanor, one count.

Austin Wayne Arbogast, 25, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Gross Child Neglect Creating Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury, a felony, one count; Assault During the Commission of a Felony, a felony, one count; Use or Presentation of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, a felony, one count; Malicious Assault, a felony, one count; Wanton Endangerment Involving a Firearm, a felony, one count; Attempted Burglary, a felony, one count; and Solicitation to Commit First Degree Murder, a felony, one count.

David Paul Anderson, 26, of Diana, was indicted for Strangulation, a felony, three counts.

Derek Daryl Reed, 24, of French Creek, was indicted for Insurance Fraud, a felony, one count, and Conspiracy, a felony, one count.

Elsworth Junior Nuzum, 68, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Failure to Provide Notice of a Change to Sex Offender Registration Information, Lifetime Registrant, a felony, five counts.

Charles Ray Smith, 70, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Failure to Provide Notice of a Change to Sex Offender Registration Information, Lifetime Registrant, a felony, two counts.

Weldon Ray Gray, 32, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Failure to Provide Notice of a Change to Required Sex Offender Registration Information, Life Registrant, a felony, two counts.

Coleman Ray Young, Jr., 56, of Clarksburg, was indicted for Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count, and Conspiracy to Violate Chapter 60A Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code, a felony, one count.

Mark Andrew Maxwell, 54, of Clarksburg, was indicted for Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count, Conspiracy to Violate Chapter 60A Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code, a felony, one count.

Victor Neil Casada, Jr., 40, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, a felony, one count, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, section 401 of the W.Va. Code, a felony, one count.

Lisa Marie Lloyd, 45, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, a felony two counts.

Greg Robert Tenney, 23, of Rock Cave, was indicted for Attempted Murder, felony, one count; Malicious Assault, a felony, one count; Attempted Malicious Assault, a felony, one count; Obstructing an Officer, a misdemeanor, one count; Failure to Render Aid with Injury, a misdemeanor, one count; Driving in an Impaired State, a misdemeanor, one count; Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor, one count; and Destruction of Property, a misdemeanor, one count.

Gabriel Santiago Siachia Mesa, 27, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Attempted Murder, a felony, one count, and Malicious Assault, a felony, one count.

Wesley R. McCartney, 36, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Failure to Provide Notice of a Change to Required Sex Offender Registration Information, Lifetime Registrant, a felony, four counts.

Rodney Gerald Riley, 30, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Fleeing in a Vehicle with Reckless Indifference to the Safety of Others, a felony, one count; Fleeing in a Vehicle Causing Property Damage, a misdemeanor, one count; Driving while License Revoked for DUI, First Offense, a misdemeanor, one count; and Failure to Notify Owner Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle, a misdemeanor, one count.

Dakota Wesley Hanks, 27, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Fraudulent Use of an Access Device, a felony, three counts.

Levi Aaron Jones, 41, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Forgery of Title, a felony, one count.

David Alan Henthorne, 32, of French Creek, was indicted for Insurance Fraud, a felony, one count.

Charles Leroy Grubb, 54, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Failure to Provide Notice of a Change to Required Sex Offender Registration Information, Lifetime Registrant, a felony, one count.

Michael Paul Wagoner, 34, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Driving While License Revoked for DUI, Third or Subsequent Offense, a felony, one count.

Shaotong Chen, 22, of New York City, N.Y., was indicted for Attempted Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, a felony, one count; Attempted Fraudulent Scheme, a felony, one count; and Conspiracy, a felony, one count.

Xianjin Yang, 29, of Elmhurst, N.Y., was indicted for Attempted Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, a felony, one count; Attempted Fraudulent Scheme, a felony, one count; and Conspiracy, a felony, one count.

Steven Christopher Westfall, 46, of Buckhannon, was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Parent, Guardian or Person in a Position of Trust, a felony, five counts; Parent, Guardian or Person in Position of Trust Allowing Sexual Abuse to be Inflicted upon a Child, a felony, one count; and Incest, a felony, five counts.

The press release notes that an indictment is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Football Bucs find little success in 62-12 loss to unbeaten Hawks

Buckhannon-Upshur fell to 0-3 after a 62-12 loss to unbeaten University, managing just 117 yards, three first downs and struggling on special teams while yielding 442 yards in the defeat.

Buckhannon Sanitary Board Agenda: September 18, 2025

The Buckhannon Sanitary Board meeting agenda for September 18, 2025, has been posted.

Wesleyan president Dr. James Moore talks about the new physician’s assistant program at Battlers Knob, the former Alderson Broaddus campus.

West Virginia Wesleyan College announced plans to open a physician assistant program at Battlers Knob on the former Alderson Broaddus campus. The program aims to enroll students for the 2027-28 academic year and expand allied health offerings in the region.

Upshur County schools celebrate significant growth in student achievement

Upshur County Schools reported math achievement rising from 41.7% to 49.67% and ELA from 46.2% to 53.36% between 2022 and 2025, crediting instructional changes, data-driven practices and family engagement.

Scott Oldaker

Scott Oldaker, 61, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, died Sept. 10, 2025; he is survived by his wife Tammie, children Travis and Mandy, two grandchildren and several siblings, and will be cremated.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 3

In this Week 3 picks column, Duane Carpenter laments society’s growing hatred and violence, marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11, lists standings and game picks, and names Kevin Patterson last week’s contest winner.
BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Smith has hat trick as soccer Bucs gain 10-1 road victory over winless Cougars

Buckhannon-Upshur routed winless Lincoln 10-1 on the road, with Coby Smith scoring a hat trick, Hayden Feather adding two goals and seven different Bucs contributing in a dominant offensive performance.

Wesleyan offense stalls out in 31-0 loss to Ohio Dominican

Wesleyan fell 31-0 to Ohio Dominican, dropping to 0-3 as the Bobcats managed just 105 total yards, seven first downs and converted 2 of 11 third downs while an interception ended a late red-zone threat.
BUHS Girls Soccer Feature Image

Soccer Lady Bucs have rough night against Lincoln in 5-1 setback

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs fell 5-1 to Lincoln after conceding three goals in the first 10 minutes, with Haley Triplett scoring late and keeper Isabella Nottingham making 11 saves.