Former deputy pleads guilty to sex crime

MARLINTON, W.Va. — A former Pocahontas County sheriff’s deputy has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse in connection with having sex with approximately two dozen women and girls over a 15-year period.

Bradley Totten, 41, of Hillsboro, entered the plea last Friday to one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian. He had originally been indicted on 66 separate counts stretching from 1995 to 2010.

Special Prosecutor Brian Parsons told MetroNews he decided to offer a plea bargain for a number of reasons including an opportunity to keep the victims from having to take the stand during a trial.

“There’s what you would like to do as a prosecutor in terms of securing a lot of potential jail time but you have to balance that with the interest of the victims and the interest of the public,” Parsons said.

The evidence indicated Totten would sexually abuse women after he had arrested them. Parsons said Totten also had sex with women on home confinement and on community corrections.

“Sometimes it was just underage girls he found while he was on duty,” Parsons said.

As part of the plea bargain, Totten will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

“With the potential penalty and the nature of the crime–his days in law enforcement are over,” Parsons said.

Totten faces 10 to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced by Pocahontas County Circuit Judge Jim Rowe in Marlinton on Sept. 20. Special Prosecutor Parsons said Monday he will not stand silent at sentencing.

“If he sentences him to the penitentiary then the defendant would have to serve 10 years and would not be eligible for parole until the conclusion of those 10 years,” according to Parsons. “There’s obviously a long period of time between now and then for the court’s probation office to speak to victims and get their input.”

Last August a Pocahontas County grand jury indicted former Assistant Pocahontas County Prosecuting Attorney Jarrell Lee Clifton, II, on sex-related charges.

Parsons said Monday that investigation is ongoing.

 





More News

News
Bridge collapse having an impact on W.Va. coal shipments
About third of the coal mined in northern West Virginia is shipped out of the presently idled Port of Baltimore
March 28, 2024 - 1:18 pm
News
Charleston animal shelter seeks more donations, fosters following U-Haul crash
The corner roof of the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association building was stabilized Thursday morning.
March 28, 2024 - 12:41 pm
News
Controversial unemployment bill becomes law without governor's signature
The bill freezes employer contributions and freezes benefits for people who lose their jobs.
March 28, 2024 - 12:20 pm
News
Governor signs bill phasing out state taxes on Social Security and receives praise
The phase-out would mean a 35% cut retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024; 65% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
March 28, 2024 - 11:46 am


Your Comments