Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney

03/31/2026

Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Announces 23 Indictments During March 2026 Term

ELIZABETH, W.Va. — The Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney, Austin Grimmett, announced that a Wirt County grand jury, sitting on March 30, 2026, returned true bills on 23 indictments against 22 criminal defendants presented by the State. This represents one of the largest, and possibly the largest, number of indictments returned in a single grand jury term in Wirt County history.

The indictments involve allegations including drug delivery and trafficking-related offenses, burglary and larceny, fi****ms offenses, s*x offender registration violations, DUI-related offenses, child neglect, and crimes involving s*xual abuse and exploitation of minors.

The indictments returned by the grand jury are as follows:

• Amanda Lorrain Sharpe — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

• Ariel Gabrielle Rhea — Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, Third Offense; No Seat Belt; Failure to Carry and Present Proof of Insurance; Operation Without Certificate of Inspection or Failure to Produce Certificate; Failure to Appear After Being Charged with a Misdemeanor.

• Brandon Lee Baker — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

• Brian K. Thompson — Grand Larceny (two counts); Conspiracy to Commit Grand Larceny.

• Burton Paul Copen — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) (four counts).

• Charles Dustin Stanley — Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Psilocybin/Psilocin); Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances.

• Christopher A. Gibson — Intimidation of a Public Official or Employee; Retaliation Against a Public Officer or Employee; Driving Under the Influence; Refusal to Provide Fingerprints and Required Information; Obstructing an Officer.

• Crecy Alice Taylor — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

• Dakota Leigh Stutler — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

• David Lee Lockhart — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Conspiracy to Violate West Virginia Code § 60A-4-401(a).

• Donald Lemont Nutter — Possession With Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (Unlawful User) (three counts).

• Eric Guy Nelson — Burglary; Breaking and Entering Non-Dwelling; Conspiracy to Commit Felony.

• Jesse Eli Rhoades — Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Psilocybin/Psilocyn); Keeping or Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping or Selling Controlled Substances.

• Jodee Regina Nester — Burglary; Breaking and Entering Non-Dwelling; Conspiracy to Commit Felony.

• Joey Eaton Goodrich — Sexual Abuse in the First Degree; Sexual Abuse by a Parent, Guardian, Custodian or Person in a Position of Trust; Domestic Battery.

• Joey Eaton Goodrich — Driving While License Revoked for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Third Offense (two counts).

• Kelly Dean Alton — Failure to Register or Provide Notice of Registration Changes (two counts); Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (Prior Sexual Felony).

• Kyle Dalton Bentz — Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na); Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Ma*****na).

• Lloyd B. Copen, Jr. — Distribution and Display to Minor of Obscene Matter (two counts).

• Michael Ray Brown Jr. — Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (Unlawful User) (three counts); Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (Concealed); Sale, Gift, or Furnishing of To***co Product to Person Younger than 21 Years of Age (two counts).

• Natasha Marie Copen — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Conspiracy to Violate West Virginia Code § 60A-4-401(a).

• Tiffany Mae Rhodes — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Conspiracy to Violate West Virginia Code § 60A-4-401; Manufacture of a Controlled Substance; Child Neglect Creating Risk of Injury; Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (two counts).

• Todd Clark Young — Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Conspiracy to Violate West Virginia Code § 60A-4-401(a); Manufacture of a Controlled Substance; Child Neglect Creating Risk of Injury; Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (two counts).

Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett said the return of these indictments reflects substantial investigative work by law enforcement and expressed gratitude for the officers and community members who have assisted in investigations.

“These cases involve a broad range of serious alleged criminal conduct in Wirt County,” Grimmett said. “I appreciate the time and service of the grand jurors, the work of the Wirt County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police, and the efforts of all officers and witnesses who assisted in presenting these matters.”

Anyone with information relating to these cases, or any other criminal matters in Wirt County, is encouraged to contact the Wirt County Sheriff’s Office at (304) 275-4222 or the Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at (304) 275-8901. The assistance of the community remains critically important to the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. Law enforcement and prosecutors rely upon citizens to come forward with information, and even small details may prove valuable in helping protect victims, hold offenders accountable, and promote the safety and well-being of Wirt County.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office notes that all indictments returned by a grand jury are formal accusations only and are not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/14/2026

Dennis Maze Convicted of Three Felony Child Sexual Abuse Counts;
Faces Up to 60 Years in Prison

ELIZABETH, W.Va. — Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett announced that on March 13, 2026, Dennis James Maze, age 48, was convicted in the Circuit Court of Wirt County on three felony counts of Sexual Abuse by a Parent, Guardian, Custodian, or Person in a Position of Trust under West Virginia Code § 61-8D-5(a).

The Court accepted Maze’s pleas to Count Four, Count Sixteen, and Count Twenty-Two of the Indictment and adjudged him guilty on each of those counts. These convictions involve three separate child victims and offenses committed while the defendant was acting in a position of trust.

Each of the three felony convictions carries a possible sentence of not less than 10 nor more than 20 years in prison. As a result, Maze now faces a total possible sentencing exposure of 30 to 60 years of incarceration if the Court orders the sentences to run consecutively. The plea agreement contains no sentencing agreement, and final sentencing remains within the discretion of the Circuit Court.

In addition to substantial prison exposure, Maze’s convictions require lifetime s*x offender registration. The plea agreement also provides that the Court may impose extended supervised release for up to 50 years as authorized by law.

This resolution also means that the child victims will not be required to testify at trial, sparing them further trauma while still securing serious felony convictions and substantial sentencing exposure.

Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett stated: “Child s*xual abuse cases demand aggressive prosecution, meaningful accountability, and an unwavering commitment to protecting victims. Dennis James Maze now stands convicted of three serious felony offenses and faces the possibility of decades in prison, lifetime s*x offender registration, and extended supervised release thereafter. Our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit and abuse children, especially when they do so from a position of trust, and we will work tirelessly to secure justice while protecting victims from further harm.”

The case was investigated by former West Virginia State Police Corporal J. M. Demeyer of the Crimes Against Children Unit, whose testimony formed the basis for the indictment returned in this matter.

The Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office extends its appreciation to law enforcement, witnesses, victim advocates, and professionals who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

03/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett Announces Record-Setting Year for Wirt Prosecutor’s Office: More Than 500 Criminal Cases, Major Drug Convictions, Child Protection Efforts, and Security Upgrades Highlight 2025

ELIZABETH, W.Va. — Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett announced this week that the Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office completed a record-setting year in 2025, handling more felony and misdemeanor prosecutions than any single year on record in county history.

According to available records, the Office handled more than 500 felony and misdemeanor cases in 2025, not including matters in which the Office was appointed to serve as Special Prosecuting Attorney in other counties. That total is more than twice the number of cases handled by the Office in 2024 and reflects a dramatic increase in the workload managed during Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett’s first year in office.

“Our office has worked every day to pursue justice without fear or favor, while respecting the rights of the accused and standing up for victims, public safety, and the rule of law,” Grimmett said. “We have worked hard to hold dangerous offenders accountable, return property to rightful owners, and ensure that those struggling with addiction are directed toward meaningful treatment when appropriate.”

In addition to its criminal caseload, the Office handled more than 50 new Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Status, and Juvenile Abuse and Neglect matters during 2025. This is over double the cases handled in 2024, underscoring the Office’s emphasis on protecting children and addressing the needs of vulnerable families.

“No child in Wirt County should be forgotten or left in abusive, neglectful, or unsafe conditions,” Grimmett said. “These cases reflect our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and helping secure better outcomes for our children.”

Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett was also honored in 2025 with the Shooting Star Award from North Star Child Advocacy Center. The award is presented to community partners who go above and beyond their call of duty to protect children, support victims, and hold offenders accountable. The recognition highlights the Office’s commitment to child protection, victim advocacy, and the fair but firm prosecution of those who prey on the most vulnerable.

Among the Office’s major accomplishments was the completion of Wirt County’s SAFE Commission Plan, a plan required by state law which had been past due since 2016. After the initial draft was submitted for review, WV SAFE Commission Chairperson Nancy Hoffman stated, “Wirt County may be last in submitting a plan for review, but you submitted probably the best first draft we’ve received!” Grimmett credited Brooklyn Parsons of the Family Crisis Intervention Center for her assistance with that effort.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office also made major strides in modernizing its operations through the development of an electronic database of historical court records spanning back decades. The project began in January 2025, and by the end of December 2025, the Office had added 147,322 unique files totaling more than 980 gigabytes of data. The database will improve accessibility for ongoing and future investigations, strengthen the security of court records, preserve confidentiality where required by law, and reduce reliance on aging paper files. Just as importantly, this effort will save taxpayer money over time by reducing the county’s need to devote valuable physical storage space to housing decades of paper records.

The database is intended to improve accessibility for ongoing and future investigations, enhance the security of court records, preserve confidentiality where required by law, and reduce reliance on aging paper files. “I want to specifically thank my Legal Assistant, Haylee Exline, and my Paralegal, Brooklyn Watts, for their outstanding work on this project,” Grimmett said. “Their efforts have helped move this office forward in a way that will benefit Wirt County for years to come.”

The Office also oversaw Operation: Blackjack, described as the largest drug-trafficking investigation in Wirt County history. The operation initially targeted 21 felony drug-trafficking suspects, and that goal was exceeded. To date, the Office has secured felony convictions in every resolved felony case resulting from the investigation, with additional cases still pending.

“This operation sent a clear message that drug trafficking in Wirt County will be met with serious investigation and prosecution,” Grimmett said. “I am deeply grateful to Sheriff McFee and the Wirt County Sheriff’s Office as well as the West Virginia State Police for their hard work and commitment to protecting our communities.”

Grimmett also reported significant progress in reducing case backlogs and moving older investigations and prosecutions more efficiently following Wirt County’s transition into the 3rd Judicial Circuit alongside Ritchie, Pleasants, and Doddridge Counties, as well as the placement of one of the Circuit’s two judges in Wirt County.

Grimmett thanked Circuit Judge Leslie L. Maze, Chief Circuit Judge Timothy L. Sweeney, their staff, Magistrates C. David Roberts and Janey Wigal and their staff, and Circuit Clerk Carol Frame and her staff for their work in maintaining a steady and high performing docket.

Beyond criminal prosecution, the Office also worked with the Wirt County Commission to realign the Wirt County Development Authority, the governmental entity responsible for the Poor Farm and Sportsman’s Park, and to bring that entity into compliance with statutory requirements.

“Good government and public accountability matter,” Grimmett said. “I appreciate the Wirt County Commission’s dedication to supporting law enforcement and serving the people of this county.”

Grimmett said the Office’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of the community.

“Above all, I want to thank the people of Wirt County,” Grimmett said. “The strength of this county is its people. It’s a close-knit community that supports one another and cares deeply about doing what is right. I remain committed to working every day to keep Wirt County safe, protect the vulnerable, and serve this community with integrity.”

END OF RELEASE
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12/29/2025

WV Treasury Day will be held in Wirt County on January 12, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., at the Wirt County Courthouse.

Treasury staff will be available to assist with matters relating to unclaimed property located in Wirt County.

12/17/2025

Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Receives “Shooting Star Award” from North Star Child Advocacy Center

ELIZABETH, W.Va. – The Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is proud to announce that Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett has been honored with the Shooting Star Award by North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

North Star Child Advocacy Center serves children and families impacted by abuse across Wirt, Wood, Pleasants, Calhoun, and Ritchie counties, providing a child-friendly, team-based approach to the investigation and response to child abuse.

Prosecuting Attorney Grimmett received the Shooting Star Award during North Star’s annual North Star Night Out fundraising gala, held at the Parkersburg Art Center on December 13, 2025. The award recognizes community partners who go above and beyond their call of duty to protect children, support victims, and hold offenders accountable.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” said Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett. “This role is a privilege, and I owe my very best to the children and families we serve. Our community has trusted me with this responsibility, and that means I have a duty to work tirelessly with North Star and all our partners to protect our children, pursue justice, and never take that trust for granted.”

“This award truly belongs to the brave children we serve and to the many amazing professionals who work alongside our office every day,” Grimmett said. “North Star Child Advocacy Center is an essential partner in helping child victims find safety, healing, and justice. I’m grateful for their work and honored to stand with them. I also want to congratulate my fellow award recipient Wirt County Sheriff’s Deputy Roman Rader, who has been a major resource for investigating crimes against children in our County.”

The Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office works closely with North Star through the investigative process as well as the Office’s multidisciplinary team—which includes law enforcement, Child Protective Services, victim advocates, probation officers, education representatives, and mental health providers. This coordinated response is designed to minimize additional trauma to children while ensuring that offenders are thoroughly investigated and appropriately prosecuted.

“Protecting children is one of the most important responsibilities of a prosecutor,” Grimmett added. “Our office remains committed to aggressively pursuing child abuse cases while treating every child victim with dignity, compassion, and respect.”

For more information about North Star Child Advocacy Center and its services, visit their website at northstarcac.org.

07/01/2025