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

Lewis, Gilmer magistrate judges indicted by federal grand jury

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – Lewis County Magistrate Roger D. Clem, Jr. and Gilmer County Magistrate Alton L. Skinner, II were indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges involving wire fraud, mail fraud and obstruction charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Clem, 47, of Weston, W.Va., and Skinner, 57, of Sand Fork, W.Va., were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud,” two counts of “Wire Fraud,” two counts of “Mail Fraud,” and one count of “Obstruction of Justice.” Skinner was also charged with one count of “False Statement to a Federal Agent.”

E-Z Out LLC, based in Sand Fork, W.Va., is an authorized bonding company in Lewis County. According to company records, E-Z Out is operated solely by Alton Skinner’s spouse, and employs Skinner’s son as an authorized bonding agent.

Clem is accused of taking favorable actions in the courtroom for E-Z Out, including setting unnecessary surety bonds. Clem is accused of calling Skinner to arrange the bond of a detainee without presenting a list of authorized bonding companies to the detainee. Skinner would allegedly arrange for his spouse or son, as agents of E-Z Out, to be present at the arraignment of the detainee without the detainee’s informed choice of E-Z Out amongst other authorized bonding companies.

Clem and Skinner are accused of causing payments via electronic transmission which traveled outside of West Virginia. The two are also accused of mailing a contract and checks between Skinner’s spouse and Dave Bourne Bail Bonds Inc. in Virginia, the general agent of the underwriter for E-Z Out.

Both men allegedly attempted to obstruct or impede the grand jury investigation. Skinner also allegedly made false statements to a special agent from the Internal Revenue Service Special Investigation Unit.

The United States is also seeking a money judgement in the amount of $18,900.

Clem and Skinner each face up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the conspiracy, wire fraud and mail fraud, and obstruction counts. Skinner also faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the false statement count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Baseball suffers losses to Point Pleasant and University

The Buckhannon-Upshur baseball team fell to Point Pleasant 8-5 then suffered a 16-0 shutout against University, dropping their record to 7-11.

Softball Lady Bucs take down Bearcats by an 8-3 score

Kynnedy Marple pitched a complete-game three-hitter and contributed offensively as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Grafton 8-3 in a Big 10 Conference softball game, improving the Lady Bucs’ record to 9-7.

Highland Landscaping takes week one lead in men’s golf league standings

Highland Landscaping claimed an early lead in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League, defeating Feola’s Flowers and topping the standings after the opening week of play.

Wesleyan misses out on MEC post season lacrosse tournament as seeds and pairings announced

West Virginia Wesleyan College did not qualify for the 2025 Mountain East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Tournament as seeds and pairings were announced Thursday, with play set to begin Sunday.

Wesleyan lacrosse ends year with 23-5 loss to Charleston

West Virginia Wesleyan women’s lacrosse fell 23-5 to Charleston in their final regular season game, with Charleston dominating offensively and outshooting Wesleyan 34-12 despite standout defensive efforts from Francesca Sloan and Emma Adcock.

Lady Buc lacrosse team downs Morgantown, 9-5

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 9-5 win over Morgantown, led by Mallory Moss’s four goals and Kylie Hull’s 16 saves.

Lacrosse Bucs cruise past St. Albans for third straight win, 12-2

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers won their third consecutive lacrosse game, defeating St. Albans 12-2, led by three-goal performances from Braylon Oldaker, Forest Catlin, and Tobias Marple.

Leadership Upshur to host free Community Skills Share event at Parish House

Leadership Upshur and the Upshur Parish House are inviting residents of all ages to a free Community Skills Share event on May 7, featuring practical workshops, demonstrations and door prizes to foster learning and community connection.

Middle schoolers bring Shakespearean magic to life via ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School students will bring laughter and enchantment to the stage with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” They invite the community to enjoy their free performances on April 25 and 26.

Elkins Raceway launches 73rd anniversary season honoring late track manager Jim Skidmore

Elkins Raceway begins its 73rd season of Saturday night racing, honoring late track manager Jim Skidmore with weekly events, full race divisions, and family-friendly admission in Kerens, West Virginia, through August 2025.
asphalt pavement road paving work

Reger Avenue paving project to begin Monday, April 28

The City of Buckhannon announced that J.F. Allen Company will begin paving Reger Avenue on April 28, with the work expected to finish by the end of April 29.

Waggy wins 1600 meters for Bucs in final home meet of the year

Senior Jack Waggy won the 1600 meters in 4:32.92 during the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers’ final home track meet, where the team earned 56 points to place fifth out of seven teams.