Randolph grand jury indicts seven on second day
ELKINS – A Randolph County man accused of having inappropriate contact with a juvenile female was one of seven individuals indicted by a Randolph County grand jury Tuesday as part of the second day of indictments being returned.
John Nicholas Ott, 56, of Elkins, was indicted on four felony counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, four felony counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust to a child, one felony count of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree, one felony count of attempted sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust to a child, and one felony count of possession of material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court, on April 20, 2016, Sgt. A.J. Shingler, of the West Virginia State Police Crimes Against Children Unit, had been conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate physical and sexual behavior involving Ott.
On the same date, Shingler spoke with Ott and his wife. In the report, Shingler notes that Ott liked to play a game he referred to as “Vampire” with juvenile children, in which he would chase the children around and “physically suck” on their necks to “freeze” them.
Also during the interview it was disclosed that Ott’s wife had “certain rules” about children being around her husband. She recounted that, on one occasion, Ott had a young female sitting on his lap and when she entered the room she removed the child, revealing that Ott was aroused. She added that this incident was cause for contention between the two of them, according to the complaint.
Shingler was also told that Ott regularly viewed pornography and when asked if he ever viewed child pornography, he replied, “Define child pornography,” the complaint states. Later in the interview, Shingler asked Ott about an alleged incident where he reportedly masturbated to a photograph of a 10-year-old female.
It was reported, and later confirmed during an interview of the alleged victim at the Randolph-Tucker Child Advocacy Center on Jan. 24, 2015, that Ott had been traveling in a vehicle with the alleged victim, police said.
The alleged victim said Ott told her she was sexy and beautiful, as well as that she made him aroused, and he explained what that meant. He also told her he wanted to “bounce her on his lap,” according to the complaint.
The alleged victim said she believed that Ott meant he wanted to touch her inappropriately, causing her to feel uncomfortable and in fear before she screamed and slapped him. The alleged victim added that she told Ott’s wife about the incident, but his wife told her he did not want to have sex with her but “thought of her in a romantic way like a girlfriend,” the complaint states.
Shingler notes in the report that based on his training and experience, Ott’s behaviors showed a “clear and convincing pattern of befriending young children.” He added that his admission to masturbating to the picture of an under-aged girl indicated that he has “an attraction to juvenile females at the approximate age of 10 years.”
Other indictments handed down Tuesday include:
Jacob Metong Thompson, 38, of Riverton, was indicted on 30 felony counts of possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices.
Melissa Dawn Graham, 40, of Beverly, was indicted on one felony count of embezzlement, one felony count of fraudulent use of an access device and one misdemeanor count of false information.
David Oscar Lambert, 37, of Elkins, was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering, one felony count of grand larceny, and one felony count of conspiracy.
Elizabeth Ann Lambert, 36, of Elkins, was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering, one felony count of grand larceny, and one felony count of conspiracy.
Kevin James Parrack, 32, of Beverly, was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering, one felony count of grand larceny, and one felony count of conspiracy.
Loretta Lynn Crim, 35, of Elkins, was indicted on one felony count of breaking and entering, one felony count of grand larceny, and one felony count of conspiracy.
The cases were presented by Prosecuting Attorney Michael W. Parker. Circuit Judge David Wilmoth presided.
Bond return hearings will be at 1:30 p.m. on July 5 at the Randolph County Circuit Courtroom.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.