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Beisel charged in theft

By Staff | Jan 20, 2010

Jason Tyler Beisel

The Wetzel County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a second man in connection with the theft of approximately 75 firearms and 28 old pocket knives from an undisclosed residence in Wetzel County.

Jason Tyler Beisel, 26, of 38493 State Route 7, Sardis, has been charged with the felonies of nighttime burglary and receiving or transferring stolen goods. The charges carry possible penalties of one to 15 years and one to 10 years with a fine of up to $2,500, respectively.

His bond was posted at a total of $40,000 surety. As of Tuesday morning Beisel was still in the Northern Regional Jail.

Cpl. Roger Spragg’s report says a light blue fleece glove left behind at the scene of the crime is what connected Beisel to the theft. Spragg had found the glove in the room from which the guns were stolen, then later found out from codefendant James Skylar Barnhart’s girlfriend that she had given Beisel that glove and its match as a gift in December.

Beisel had been connected to the theft early on as deputies had found eight of the stolen guns hidden in the rafters of a garage he owns with another person, the old Newman’s garage, located at the corner of Linden Avenue and Locust Street in New Martinsville.

However, Beisel had provided a written statement that he had seen Barnhart with guns and he had them at the house and at the garage. In addition, Beisel knew Barnhart was selling guns and said he had traded a car stereo, presumably for a firearm, with Barnhart on Jan. 7.

However, when Spragg and Chief Deputy Rob Haught interviewed Barnhart on Jan. 8, he said the guns turned in by three Sistersville men came from Beisel.

Continuing to piece together the truth, an interview with Barnhart’s girlfriend on Jan. 11 revealed that Beisel had shown her the attic full of guns Jan. 7 and he said they came from his father.

Spragg and Chief Deputy Rob Haught are continuing the investigation and Spragg says more arrests are pending.

The WCSD is asking anyone who has purchased firearms or knives from either of the defendants to call the department at 304-455-2430. A complete list of the guns taken from the undisclosed residence can be found at www.tylerstarnews.com.