NEW MARTINSVILLE – A Wetzel County man was sentenced to 1-5 years in prison for sexually abusing a girl and must register as a lifelong offender.

Wetzel County Circuit Court Judge Richard Wilson on Nov. 12 sentenced Kevin G. Dimpfl, 47, to 1-5 years in prison after he entered an Alford Kennedy plea on a single information count of sexual abuse, first degree.

Dimpfl was already registered as a sex offender for life because of a past conviction, but must do so again. Wilson also ordered 25 years of extended supervised release after his prison term. He ordered no contact with the victim in the case. He must submit to DNA blood testing for offenders and mandatory HIV testing.

Dimpfl sexually abused a teenage girl who may be on the autism spectrum. The girl originally reported the incident as rape, but after speaking to counselors she said the man touched her private parts while her clothes were on and did not consent. Because the abuse occurred over the clothing, Dimpfl could only receive 1-5 years in prison during sentencing. The girl quickly picked Dimpfl out of an eight-photo lineup. Dimpfl was known to the girl as “Victor.”

Wilson presided over several other cases on Nov. 12:

A pretrial hearing for Kregg Allen Longwell, 31, of Reader, W.Va., was continued to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 to allow for needed records to be secured. His attorney is Braden Noon and Craft represents the state. Long is out on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. As part of his bond, he is not permitted to be in the presence of any child. He must wear an ankle monitor. Longwell is facing a 20-count indictment on various sexual crimes against children that allegedly occurred between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 28, 2023. Craft said that during a Nov. 6 hearing, Wilson heard motions related to Longwell.

“First, the Court addressed the failure of the Department of Human Services to comply with prior Orders to turn over certain records for review by the Court as part of the discovery,” Craft said. “Second, the Court heard testimony from Dr. Edward Baker concerning competency issues. As a result of the evidence heard, the Court granted the Defendant’s Motion to Exclude certain witnesses.

“The State moved for the Court to stay this ruling for a question to be sent to the Supreme Court, which the Court denied. Thereafter, the Defendant’s bond was modified, with supervision of the Defendant by the Wetzel County Probation Office pending the conclusion of the case. The State was represented by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Justin Craft; the Defendant was represented by W. Braden Noon; and Kevin Neiswonger, standing in for his partner, David White, acted as Guardian ad Litem.”

A trial date for Longwell is pending.

Keith Allen Claypool of Smithfield pleaded guilty to grand larceny. Wilson sentenced him to one year in jail. However since he had already served 252 days in jail he was discharged that day. He was ordered to pay court costs and fees. Two counts of entry of a building other than a dwelling were dismissed. All three offenses are alleged to have occurred on or about January 29, 2024, in Wetzel County.

Erin Marie Greathouse, 34, of New Martinsville waived her right to a trial during the current term of court. This was to allow her attorney John Jurko and Wetzel County Prosecutor Timothy Haught to go over a plea. The case was continued until 10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2025. Her bond continues. She was charged by the September Grand Jury in a nine count felony indictment charging her with four counts of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school; four counts of possession of a controlled narcotic substance with intent to deliver; one count of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The crimes allegedly occurred in April and May of 2024, in Wetzel County.

Troy Christopher Wade of New Martinsville waived his right to a trial during the current term of court. This will allow him to complete a drug rehabilitation program at, Clean and Clear, in Pleasants County where he was facing similar charges. Wilson ordered a supervised bond that includes him staying in his current treatment program. His attorney is Braden Noon and Haught is prosecuting the case. Wade was originally charged by the September Grand Jury in a four count felony indictment with count one possession of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl, with intent to deliver; count two possession of a controlled substance, xylazine, with intent to deliver; count three conspiracy to deliver a controlled narcotic substance, Fentanyl; count four conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, xylazine. All four charges allegedly occurred on or about April 8, 2024, in Wetzel County.

A status hearing for Dalton Ray Coen of Burton, W.Va., was scheduled for 9:30 am. Dec. 4. His attorney is Scott Brown. Haught is prosecuting the case. Coen was charged by the September Grand Jury in a one count felony indictment of grand larceny. The crime allegedly occurred on or about April 14, 2024, in Wetzel County.

A plea hearing for Tiffany Danielle Reed of Paden City was scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 19. Her attorney is Michael Baum and Craft is prosecuting the case. Reed was charged by the September Grand Jury in a three count felony indictment; all three counts charged her with the crimes of gross child neglect creating risk of death or serious bodily injury. The crimes allegedly occurred on or about April 8, 2024, in Wetzel County and accuse her of not providing habitable living conditions for a minor child.

A plea hearing for Joseph Allen Henderson of New Martinsville was slated for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 8. It was noted he was doing well on his supervised bond and he is employed. Hendershot was charged in a one count felony indictment by the September Grand Jury with the crime of delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine). The crime allegedly occurred on or about Dec. 29, 2023, in Wetzel County.

A plea hearing for Ronald Blaine Hines Jr. of New Martinsville was scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 4. Hines was charged by the September Grand Jury in a three count felony indictment with the crimes of delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; delivery of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl; and delivery of a controlled substance, xylazine. All three offenses allegedly occurred on or about Dec. 13, 2023, in Wetzel County.

Robert Bradley Claypool of Smithfield is scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19. He was charged by the September Grand Jury in a three count felony indictment alleging the crimes of count one, entry of a building other than a dwelling; count two, entry of a building other than a dwelling; and count three, grand larceny. All three offenses allegedly occurred on or about Jan. 29, 2024, in Wetzel County.

Tammy Michelle Trowbridge waived her right to a trial during the current term of court. This will allow her to continue drug rehabilitation treatment at St. Joseph Recovery. Wilson modified her bond to make her treatment a condition of the bond. Her next hearing is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2025. Her attorney is David White and Haught is prosecuting the case. Trowbridge was charged by the September Grand Jury in a two count felony indictment with the possession of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl, with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance, xylazine, with intent to deliver. Both crimes allegedly occurred on or about Jan. 24, 2024, in Wetzel County.

Curtis Lee Williams of Sistersville was permitted by Wilson to continue treatment at Harmony Ridge. His next hearing is set for Nov. 19. Williams nearly had his bond revoked and nearly went to jail because he had not contacted his probation officer who did not know he entered treatment. Williams was charged by the September Grand Jury in a four count felony indictment with the crimes of possession of a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl, with intent to deliver; possession of a controlled substance, xylazine, with intent to deliver; conspiracy to deliver a controlled narcotic substance, fentanyl; and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, Xylazine. All four charges allegedly occurred on or about April 8, 2024, in Wetzel County.

A hearing for Cody Joseph Craft, 34, is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 2 before Wilson. Craft wanted to be allowed to re-enter drug court after breaking a rule by using a synthetic form of a drug while in treatment. His attorney Mike Baum said Craft has been struggling with addiction for several years, relapsed and deserved another chance. Haught argued that Craft did not just have a relapse, but used a synthetic drug on purpose, one that cannot be detected on a regular drug screen panel. He described Craft’s actions as “deceitful and dishonest.” Baum argued the drug was given to Craft and he did not seek it out. Craft was originally charged in a four-count indictment with three of those charges related to possession with intent to deliver illegal drugs.

Warren Russell Barnett of Martins Ferry pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fleeing from an officer. Wilson sentenced Barnett to one year of supervised probation and a $500 fine. He must pay court costs and fees. His attorney was Robert McCoid. Haught represented the state. Barnett was charged by the September Grand Jury with the felony offense of fleeing with reckless indifference. The crime occurred on or about Feb. 29, 2024, on W.Va. 20 and W.Va. 7 in Wetzel County.

Rachel Jolene McDiffitt, 32, of Cameron pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Wilson scheduled a sentencing hearing for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 19. Before pleading, McDiffitt said she has struggled with drugs since the loss of a child. She said she wants to get better so she can be with her 6 year old. It was noted she has been accepted into Serenity Hills, a treatment program. Haught said if the case had gone to trial, evidence would have shown that during a traffic stop McDiffitt voluntarily allowed officers to search her vehicle. During the search officers found four bags of meth and weight scales. Her attorney is Andy Mendelson and Haught is prosecuting the case. McDiffitt was charged by the September Grand Jury in a one count felony indictment of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, with intent to deliver. The crime allegedly occurred on or about Dec. 11, 2023 in Wetzel County.

A suppression hearing was held for David Christian White of Lumberport, W.Va., who is charged with felony DUI of a controlled substance causing death, felony negligent homicide and two felony counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury after being involved in a traffic accident on Aug. 19, 2022, that resulted in the death of another driver and injuries to two other motorists. After hearing testimony from two sheriff’s department deputies, Wilson denied a motion by White’s attorney, Andy Mendelson, to suppress blood test evidence during trial. Wilson set a trial date of 8:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Craft is prosecuting the case.

Adam Christopher Pendleton, 31, of New Martinsville waived his right to a trial during the current term of court. Wilson scheduled a status hearing for 10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2025. His attorney is Kevin Neiswonger and Craft is prosecuting the case. Pendleton was indicted by a Wetzel County Grand Jury during the May 2023 term of court on five felony counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.