Shawn Michael Watson, 30, of Belington is being charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy; Eric David Wichmann, 42, of Belington, is facing felony charges of possession with the intent to deliver and conspiracy; Donald Dewayne Simmons, 49, of Elkins, is facing a felony charge of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance; and Joshua Dewayne Simmons, 27, of Elkins, is facing a misdemeanor charge of making false statements to a police officer.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court, Elkins Police Department Patrolman First Class D.T. Sayre and Corporal C.G. Boatwright observed a red Volkswagen bearing a temporary registration near Harrison Avenue that was listed to Watson. Officers observed Wichmann and Donald Simmons around the vehicle. Officers found the inspection sticker was removed from the vehicle. Officers began conducting surveillance on the vehicle and the defendants.

“As the vehicle left the residence officers observed the defendant Shawn M. Watson driving the vehicle and confirmed through Randolph County E911 prior to conducting the traffic stop that the defendant’s license status was revoked/suspended,” the complaint states. “Officers followed the vehicle from the residence where it rapidly accelerated on Gorman Avenue towards Railroad Avenue, where the vehicle turned onto Sixth Street beside of Scotties and immediately down the alley between Harrison Avenue and Gorman Avenue. As the vehicle continued back towards the residence the vehicle stopped in the alley, where the driver, Watson, and the passenger identified as the co-defendant, Eric David Wichmann, began to switch places as officers enclosed on opposite sides of the vehicle.”

As officers approached the vehicle the occupants were in the vehicle shuffling around and moving things prior to officers removing them, the complaint states. As Sayre worked to remove Wichmann from the vehicle he began to struggle and was assisted to the ground and placed in hand restraints.

Wichmann

According to the complaint, Watson continued to move around in the vehicle and Boatwright was giving commands for him to show officers his hands. He did not and was removed from the vehicle. As Sayre was taking Wichmann to the patrol car, Boatwright began to pat down Watson and found money and what appeared to be marijuana concealed in a plastic baggie. Watson was secured in Boatwright’s patrol vehicle.

Once the two were secured in the patrol vehicles, officers began to search the vehicle and were approached by Donald Simmons and Joshua Simmons, both of whom were instructed to leave, the complaint states. Donald Simmons allegedly began to curse officers and Josh Simmons allegedly failed in listening to officers’ commands. Sayre attempted to approach Donald Simmons and he began to run back towards the residence and began to place his hands in his pockets. Sayre caught up to Donald Simmons, who allegedly refused to surrender to the officers.

“He (Donald Simmons) was assisted to the ground and began to struggle with this officer, once I was able to gain control of him, he began to exclaim ‘that’s his money they got,'” Sayre writes in the complaint. “Donald Simmons was then escorted back to the patrol vehicle where he attempted to pull United States currency from his pockets and throw it on the ground. As he is in the process of turning his body and hands in the attempt to extract the money from his pockets he began to pull away from this officer and proceeded to turn around on this officer and yelling in my face. Donald (Simmons) was then assisted back to the ground where compliance was met and assisted back up to be escorted back to the patrol vehicle.”

According to the complaint, as Sayre was escorting Donald Simmons to the patrol car, Joshua Simmons was being placed into custody by Boatwright. Joshua Simmons was struggling and refusing commands. Once both were placed into patrol vehicles with assistance of EPD First Lieutenant and Chief Travis Bennett, officers continued to search the vehicle. Boatwright located a black and green zippered container that contained two baggies of a white crystal like substance with multiple “chunks” of what appeared to be methamphetamine.

“The quantity of the suspected methamphetamine is consistent with the sale and distribution of illicit substances,” the complaint states. “Officers then transported the defendants to Elkins City Hall where they were processed and later transported to the Randolph County Magistrate Office to be arraigned.”

D. Simmons

Donald Simmons is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond; Watson is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond; Wichmann is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond; and Joshua Simmons is held on a $1,000 cash/surety bond.

The bonds were set by Randolph County Magistrate George Riggleman.

J. Simmons