CRISS

ROCK CAVE — An Upshur County woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly breaking a man’s rib with a metal pipe.

Theresa Ann Criss, 54, is charged with one count of malicious assault, a felony. She is also charged with one count of domestic assault, one count of domestic battery second offense and one count of obstructing an officer, all misdemeanors. Criss is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $15,000 surety/cash bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Trooper C.J. Elmore with the West Virginia State Police, on June 7, Elmore responded to a residence in Upshur County in regard to a domestic dispute. One his way to the residence, Elmore was informed that the alleged victim was at a different location.

Upon arrival, Elmore spoke with the alleged victim who stated that three days prior to that day’s incident, Criss had allegedly struck him with a metal pipe, the complaint states. The alleged victim believed that his rib cage had been broken from this. Elmore observed the alleged victim to have a swollen area around his ribs.

Elmore asked about the domestic dispute that happened that day, June 7, to which the alleged victim reportedly said that Criss arrived at his residence on a four-wheeler and began threatening him, the complaint states. The alleged victim said Criss had become aggressive and that he left the residence before the incident became more violent. When asked what threats Criss made, the alleged victim said that Criss had reportedly told him, “I only got to keep you alive a little longer.”

The alleged victim stated that he had trouble breathing after the metal pipe incident three days prior and that Criss had, allegedly, choked him in the past, but did not call anyone, the complaint states. Elmore also spoke with a witness who stated that Criss was allegedly verbally and physically abusive to the alleged victim. The witness said she had seen red marks on the alleged victim’s throat prior to the June 7 incident. The alleged victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment.

Elmore, along with Upshur County Sheriff’s Office deputies Newbrough and Frazier, went to a residence in Rock Cave to speak with Criss, the complaint states. Upon knocking on the back door, Elmore reportedly hear Criss yelling inside the residence. Elmore advised Criss that she needed to step outside of the residence, to which Criss allegedly stated she “did not have to.” Criss then reportedly began walking into the kitchen. The alleged victim told Elmore that, in past incidents, Criss allegedly used a knife to stab and puncture holes in the walls of his house. With this information in mind, Elmore entered the residence and took Criss into custody.

On June 8, Elmore contacted the witness to get an update on the alleged victim, the complaint states. The witness told Elmore that the alleged victim had suffered a broken rib due to the metal pipe incident.

A preliminary hearing for Criss has been scheduled for June 18 in Upshur County Magistrate Court.