Koval

MOATSVILLE – A Barbour County man faces two felony charges – and perhaps more to follow – after officers allegedly found traps, guns and explosives at his residence during the execution of an arrest warrant.

Brian Michael Koval, 49, is charged with one count of attempted malicious assault on a police officer and one count of attempting to commit a felony punishable by imprisonment for a term less than life, both felonies. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $20,000 property/surety bond issued by Barbour County Magistrate Angela Stalnaker.

Koval is also being held on a $5,000 cash-only bond from a previous charge of two counts of possession of controlled substance without valid prescription, a misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Deputy C.A. Curkendall with the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 30, Curkendall responded to a residence on Clemtown Road in reference to an outstanding capias for Koval.

Upon arrival, Curkendall observed several indicators that someone inside the residence was attempting to hide their presence, the complaint states. Curkendall noted the front door was barricaded from the inside, while the back door had two outside padlocks attached, and a deadbolt was secured from the inside. He also noted the front window was open, despite the cold weather, and that the chimney was “warm to the touch,” indicating someone was inside.

While checking the perimeter of the residence, Curkendall observed what appeared to be “homemade caltrops” concealed in leaves around the residence’s doors and windows, the complaint states. Caltrops are described as an “area denial weapon” used to slow travel by injuring or puncturing the foot of an opponent, the hoof of a horse, or, in modern times, the tires of a vehicle. The caltrops around the residence were made from wood and nails.

Curkendall writes that Barbour County Deputy Whitted had been to the residence earlier in the week and “did not recall seeing any such objects, suggesting they were recently placed as a means to injure or deter law enforcement.” Curkendall also writes that he “narrowly avoided” stepping on one of the caltrops while he was attempting to look through a window.

According to the complaint, Curkendall knocked and announced himself as law enforcement multiple times, stating “Sheriff’s Office,” and “Sheriff’s Office! Brian, you have a warrant – come to the door!” He received no response.

Trooper B.S. Stout with the West Virginia State Police obtained a search warrant for the residence, the complaint states. With the warrant, officers were able to open the blinds on a window and look inside the residence.

Curkendall observed a male, Aiden Xaiver Koval, 20, lying on the floor, “pretending to be asleep,” the complaint states. Officers had allegedly previously spoken with Aiden Koval about the capias and he had been present when Brian Koval was served the capias. Curkendall writes that, “Despite this, Aiden made no effort to assist law enforcement.”

When Aiden Koval realized officers could see him, he allegedly hesitated to open the door, the complaint states. He then, allegedly, resisted officer’s attempts to detain him and had to be “physically pulled from the doorway before being secured.”

Aiden Koval was charged with obstructing law enforcement, probation, parole, court security or corrections officer w/ threats of harm, a misdemeanor. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $500 property/surety bond issued by Barbour County Magistrate Angela Stalnaker.

After Aiden Koval was detained, a search of the residence found Brian Koval “concealed under a mattress,” the complaint states. One side of the bed’s slats had been removed, allowing Koval to allegedly “hide in a manner that made him difficult to detect.”

Aiden Koval allegedly told officers that, upon their arrival at the residence, Brian Koval allegedly alerted him by saying, “Hey, cops,” before running and hiding, the complaint states. Aiden Koval allegedly admitted he also hid in hopes that “the officers would leave.”

Brian Koval allegedly told officers that the caltrops were set “a while ago” because people had been “looking in his windows,” the complaint states. Koval was allegedly fully aware that the caltrops were outside and “still allowed law enforcement to walk around outside with no warning.”

Curkendall writes that he had been to Koval’s residence multiple times and had two prior search warrants for the home. He stated that he did not “recall seeing the caltrops nor was I ever warned they were there.”

The Philippi Detachment of the West Virginia State Police issued a statement in regard to their assistance in the execution of an arrest warrant for Brian Koval, as well as future charges Koval will face after several guns and explosives were found at the residence.

“Upon observing law enforcement approaching, Koval attempted to barricade himself inside the residence to avoid arrest,” the State Police statement read. “After a brief standoff, entry was made and Koval was taken into custody without further incident.”

According to the West Virginia State Police, during a subsequent search, officers located and seized: two shotguns and assorted ammunition; three throwable improvised explosive devices (IEDs); one suspected bomb-type IED; and one modified hand grenade.

Sgt. C.T. Speece, a bomb technician assigned to the WVSP Explosives Response Team, responded to the scene and “safely rendered the explosive devices inoperable,” according to the statement.

In a follow-up statement, the West Virginia State Police stated that more charges against Kovel would be “forthcoming for the explosive devices.”