Kelly

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly using relatives’ checks to make purchases at Walmart

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly taking and using checks associated with a bank account belonging to two relatives.

April Kelly, 34, of Buckhannon was arrested Monday on three counts of forgery or uttering, a felony.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Trooper John Tonkin with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police, on Saturday, Feb. 1, at about 3 p.m. Tonkin received a phone call from Carol Waybright in reference to possible stolen checks.

Waybright said she was the power of attorney for an elderly couple, and she’d recently noticed two unfamiliar transactions on their bank statement. The transactions were checks used to purchase items at Walmart in Upshur County.

Tonkin retrieved the transaction receipts from Walmart, along with video of both transactions that day, the report says. According to the report, the first transaction took place Jan. 20, 2020 at 6:19 p.m. for a total of $94.90, and the second transaction took place Jan. 22, 2019 at approximately 3 p.m. for a total of $93.64.

Tonkin also reviewed footage of both transactions and upon doing so, recognized the female using the checks to be Kelly, the file says. Tonkin noted he’d had previous interactions with Kelly, including one on the previous night — Jan. 31, 2020 – at the residence of the victims where she had told the trooper she was their caretaker.

According to the report, Waybright, the power of attorney, was shown a still photo of the video footage from Walmart and reportedly confirmed the female in the video to be Kelly, and the victim’s daughter also identified Kelly in the video.

The daughter of the victim said Kelly had been hired to take care of the victims and had “uninhibited access” to their personal belongings. When Waybright and the daughter reportedly confronted Kelly and asked if she had taken or used the checks, Kelly denied taking and/or using the checks, the file says.

Magistrate Kay Hurst set bail at $30,000 cash or surety, and as of Wednesday afternoon, Kelly remained incarcerated in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

The penalty for a conviction of forgery or uttering is imprisonment in the state penitentiary for one to 10 years, or, in the discretion of the court, confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine of up to $500 on each count.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Upshur County Courthouse

County approves $11.5-million-dollar budget, which includes several earmarked ARPA-funded projects

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year saw increases in the regional jail bill and increases to PEIA premiums, but commissioners were still able to provide 3 percent raises across elected officials’ departments. Upshur County […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Lady Buc netters edged by Minutemaids, 4-3

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc tennis team was oh so close to picking up a home win against the Lewis County Minutemaids in a 4-3 setback Wednesday evening at the West Virginia Wesleyan courts. After doubles action, the Lady […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Tennis Bucs tumble to Lewis County

BUCKHANNON – The Buckhannon-Upshur boys’ tennis team came up short in a home clash with the Lewis County Minutemen Wednesday evening at the West Virginia Wesleyan courts. The Bucs dropped a 7-0 decision. No. 3 singles player Bradly Helmick was […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Maxell and Currence garner All-State basketball recognition

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs had two players selected to the 2022-23 WVSA Class AAAA Girls’ Basketball Team that was voted on by the state’s sports writers. Senior forward/center Kendall Currence and junior guard

Sports

Class AAAA Boy’s All-State Basketball Team announced

CHARLESTON — The Class AAAA All-State Boys Basketball Team as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association was announced today. Sharron Young, who led Morgantown to the Class AAAA title, was named the First

SHOPS & SERVICES

Upshur Stars recognized at recent Board of Education meeting

BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Fred Eberle Technical Center students were recognized at a recent Upshur County Board of Education meeting for their excellence in recent competitions. B-UHS swim coaches Mrs. Jennifer Bennett and Mr.