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

Man arrested on five felony charges related to possession, use of explosives

Clark

SELBYVILLE – A Buckhannon man was arrested on five felony charges Monday when police allegedly found explosive devices in his vehicle after he was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with a family in Selbyville.

William Clark, 62, was arrested for three counts of illegal possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices; one count of criminal use of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices; and one count of wanton endangerment involving destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices, all felonies.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Deputy Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, on Monday, March 9, Gordon responded to a call for service regarding threats.

An Upshur County Comm Center E911 dispatcher who fielded the call told Gordon they had heard a sound “similar to gunshots” in the background during the call. The dispatcher said the caller stated that a male named William “Bill” Clark had just left a Selbyville residence – where the caller was phoning from – in a green-colored Ford truck and was driving on the Selbyville Road, possibly heading to Abbott Road.

Gordon passed the vehicle traveling north on Route 20 near the Dollar General in French Creek. According to the report, Deputy Joseph Barcus, also with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, was stationed in his vehicle near Clark’s residence on Abbott Road.

Gordon told Barcus that Clark’s vehicle had just passed him and was heading toward the Abbott Road, where Barcus was waiting in his cruiser. According to the report, Barcus then spotted the vehicle traveling west on the Abbott Road and initiated a traffic stop.

Gordon arrived on scene at the Selbyville Road to speak with the original caller. According to the report, the female caller and three other household members told Gordon that Clark and his family had been in a verbal altercation with them throughout the evening, and they heard a loud “boom” outside the house.

All household members told police that Clark was at the Selbyville Road residence arguing with one of the residents and attempting to coax that person out of the house, the file says. According to Gordon’s report, witnesses stated they allegedly heard Clark yell, “If you’re not coming out, I got something for ya” – just minutes before hearing a boom.

During the course of his investigation, Gordon saw a disturbed area of dirt and located large pieces of metal shrapnel scattered across the yard, according to the report. Gordon took video statements from all four residents on the Selbyville Road.

In addition, Barcus discovered two more pipes identical to the one found on scene inside the vehicle belonging to Clark at the time of the traffic stop, the file says. Gordon later arrived on scene of the traffic stop and located a long-necked lighter and a box containing substances believed to be fireworks explosives and fuses, the report states.

Bail was set at $100,000.

Clark faces confinement for not less than one nor more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $5,000 or both on each count if convicted of illegal possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices.

He also faces confinement for not less than two nor more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $10,000 or both for criminal use of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices if convicted.

If convicted on the wanton endangerment involving destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices charge, he faces a penalty of imprisonment for not less than two nor more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.