West

ELKINS – More charges, including a felony charge for intimidation against public officers, have been issued against a Randolph County man accused of making repeated non-emergency calls to Randolph County 911.

Ernest Ray West, 69, of Beverly, is charged with one count of intimidation of and retaliation against public officers and employees, a felony. He is also charged with one count of aggravated DUI, and five counts of false telephone report of emergency, all misdemeanors.

West is currently being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on four cash-only bonds that total $29,500.

According to the criminal complaints filed by Deputy A.G. Vanscoy with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on April 14, Vanscoy was dispatched to return a call to West in reference to the return of a firearm currently retained as evidence.

Including the April 14 dispatch, West allegedly phoned Randolph County 911 on 13 separate occasions regarding the return of the firearm, the complaint states. The calls started on Feb. 26, the day after the firearm was seized for a felony investigation. On April 8, West was advised by Captain B.A. Talkington on the details involving the retention of the firearm and that any future calls to Randolph County 911 about this non-emergency issue would be considered misuse of a 911 line. West was reportedly “belligerent” during this conversation and the phone call was terminated.

Vanscoy contacted West on April 14 and reminded West that he was previously advised on the circumstances surrounding the retention of the firearm and that repeatedly calling 911 about it was misuse of an emergency line, the complaint states. West allegedly became “belligerent” by berating law enforcement and demanding the return of the firearm. The call was then terminated.

On April 15, a Warrant of Arrest was issued by the Randolph County Magistrate Court for West’s alleged misuse of an emergency line, the complaint states. That same day, West reportedly called Randolph County 911 three additional times once again regarding the firearm. This was after the Warrant of Arrest was issued. West allegedly also called Randolph County 911 once again on April 18 regarding the firearm, “disregarding the previous warnings about misuse of an enhanced emergency telephone system.”

According to the criminal complaint filed by Deputy S.R. Schoonover, also with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on April 18, Schoonover received a request to return a public service to West regarding the firearm.

Schoonover notes in the complaint that West was told “numerous times” to stop calling Randolph County 911 about the firearm as it was in an evidence locker pending further information. West allegedly called 911 again that day, stating that he wanted a call to be returned “immediately.”

When Schoonover called West, he explained that the firearm was still pending release as the Sheriff’s Office’s evidence custodians wanted to wait for approval from the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office, the complaint states. West allegedly replied, “I already talked to the prosecutor, I got a lawyer.” Schoonover repeated that the firearm would not be returned until it was cleared for release.

West allegedly became “increasingly hostile,” the complaint states. West reportedly told Schoonover, “Well, that’s beside the point, how about you meet me up 4-H out of uniform, and let’s fight for the gun,” and, “I’m tired of this f***ing bulls**t, you’re holding my…” Schnoover writes that he hung up the call at this point to prevent further escalation.

That same day, West was arrested during a traffic stop, the complaint states. When Schoonover arrived on the scene, West allegedly stated, “I told the motherf***er I’d meet him up 4-H and I’d whip his f***ing a** any day of the week. It was you ain’t it?” West also reportedly pointed directly at Schoonover and said, “You’re a motherf***er.”

According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper H.J. Bonetti with the West Virginia State Police, on April 18, Bonetti was conducting road patrol on Lavalette Avenue in Elkins when he observed West, who had an active Warrant of Arrest.

Bonetti observed West’s vehicle to have bandannas and other items handing from the rear view mirror, “obstructing the driver’s view,” the complaint states. Bonetti then conducted a traffic stop and allegedly observed West to have bloodshot, watery eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. West was asked to step out of the vehicle and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered. West reportedly exhibited signs of impairment on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test and he could not complete the Walk and Turn or the One Leg Stand tests.

When Bonetti administered a Preliminary Breath Test, West allegedly provided a sample with a Blood Alcohol Count (BAC) of 0.171, the complaint states. During a second chemical breath test, West reportedly provided a sample with a BAC of 0.177.

According to a release put out Monday by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, West “knowingly placed calls that did not involve an actual emergency, diverting resources from legitimate incidents and potentially delaying response to those in need.” The Elkins City Police Department and West Virginia State Police assisted in the investigation.

“The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that emergency lines are reserved for urgent situations requiring assistance, and misuse may result in criminal prosecution,” the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office release stated.