Kidnapping case going to grand jury
ELKINS — A judge ruled that probable cause had been met for the arrest of a Randolph County man who allegedly took another man hostage and held him at gunpoint.
Jonathan William Streets, 21, of Elkins, is charged with one felony count of kidnapping and one felony count of wanton endangerment. He remains housed at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on no bond.
Randolph County Magistrate George M. “Mike” Riggleman made the ruling after hearing testimony from investigating officer Cpl. S.P. Miller, of the West Virginia State Police, as well as a 17-year-old juvenile, called by the defense, who was at the home prior to police arriving.
While the 17-year-old testified that she was at the residence with Streets and the alleged victim and no gun had been produced, Miller testified that the alleged victim appeared “almost in shock” when he spoke with him after law enforcement arrived.
Streets’ defense counsel, James E. Hawkins Jr., cross-examined Miller, asking him if there was any ransom, reward or concession demanded by Streets for the alleged victim to be allowed to leave the residence. Miller said there was not to his knowledge.
During the presentation of his case, Hawkins also presented the court with a written statement he claimed was received from the alleged victim this past weekend that was not read aloud in open court but Hawkins said was a recantation of the allegations he had previously made against Streets.
Additionally, Hawkins requested a bond be set for Streets in the matter, which was denied by Riggleman.
The case will now be bound over to the Randolph County Circuit Court for presentation to a grand jury.
Randolph County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Richard Shryock represented the state while Streets appeared with Hawkins. Riggleman presided.
According to court documents, on Oct. 16, Cpl. S.P. Miller, Trooper First Class J.J. Cornelius, Senior Trooper C.E. Elliott and Senior Trooper D.T. Stallings, all of the West Virginia State Police, as well as several Randolph County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on Moyer Road, in Elkins, about a person being held at gunpoint and against his will.
Miller located the residence and found both Streets and the alleged victim inside. The alleged victim told officers that Streets held a firearm on him and threatened to kill him if he did not locate a separate firearm that he believed had been stolen from him earlier that week, according to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court.
The alleged victim added he was unable to leave the residence and feared for his own safety because he believed Streets was going to shoot him. Officers were additionally told by the alleged victim that Streets hid the weapon when he realized officers had arrived at the scene, police said.
He then pointed to an “area in the kitchen” where the gun was hidden by Streets, police said.
Miller lifted a lid off of a toolbox at that location and observed several firearms. Officers then took Streets into custody and obtained a recorded statement from the alleged victim, the complaint states.
If convicted on the kidnapping charge, Streets could be sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole.
The wanton endangerment charge, if convicted, carries a potential sentence of not less than one nor more than five years in the state penitentiary. Or, at the discretion of the court, a sentence of not more than one year in jail, a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $2,500, or both.