Keener

PHILIPPI — A Barbour County man is facing 10 felony charges after allegedly sexually abusing a child for around five years.

Roscoe Jackson Keenner, 76, is charged with five counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, and five counts of sexual assault in the first degree, all felonies. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $100,000 10% surety bond.

The criminal complaint, filed by Cpl. Steven G. Blake with the West Virginia State Police, on Sept. 10, states that Blake received a complaint from an adult female who advised that Keenner had sexually assaulted a juvenile.

The complainant told Blake that the juvenile victim had disclosed the sexual abuse to her earlier that day, and when the complainant confronted Keenner, he allegedly “confirmed and confessed” to the allegations, the complaint states.

During the complainant’s meeting with Blake, Kenner called the complainant, the complaint states. Blake writes that, over the phone, Keenner allegedly confessed to “touching” the juvenile and stated he was going to “turn himself in.”

On Sept. 17, a forensic interview was conducted with the juvenile victim, the complaint states. The forensic interview allegedly revealed that Keenner had been sexually abusing the juvenile victim for around five years.

A preliminary hearing for Keenner has been scheduled for Oct. 6 in Barbour County Circuit Court.