Sheriff Mike Coffman and members of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested a fugitive on February 11 “after an extensive investigation,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
James Anderson Roy was found near Helvetia.
Roy had been on the run since the Upshur County Circuit Court issued a capias warrant for his arrest on December 17, 2025, for failure to appear on multiple pending felony charges, including failure to register as a sex offender, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, grand larceny and conspiracy, the release states.
He was located after deputies were “able to use multiple technology platforms to obtain Roy’s general location,” according to the release. While searching the area, Coffman located Roy’s vehicle, then Roy himself, and “took him into custody without incident.”
The sheriff’s office said this is an ongoing investigation with additional charges pending.
Roy, 59, of Rock Cave, was arrested in August 2025 for allegedly stealing a Kubota tractor valued at approximately $8,000 from Clayton Homes in Buckhannon. He was also charged with purchasing a firearm when prohibited due to previous criminal convictions.
According to that criminal complaint, Roy has a “long, violent, criminal history,” including aggravated robbery in 1984, sexual assault in the third degree in 1994, DUI third offense in 2008 and failure to register as a sex offender in 2011. His driver’s license was revoked in 2005 for DUI causing death.
The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office had previously asked for the public’s help in locating Roy in January.
