Harrison County man enters Alford Plea to sex crimes involving his underage children

CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — A man who faced 12 counts of sex related crimes involving two of his biological children was remanded to the custody of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department after entering an Alford Plea to two charges.

Larry Sean Blair, Sr., 45, of Lumberport, entered the guilty pleas –while not admitting he committed the crimes– Tuesday to sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust to a child as part of a deal with the state to drop the other 10 counts.

In relation to those two counts, the prosecution alleged that between December 2006 and March 2007 Blair had sex with his daughter, who was under 12 years old at the time. Then, between January 2005 and March 2006, Blair engaged in sexual contact with his juvenile son by forcing the boy to fondle his genitalia.

Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Rachael Romano outlined the state’s case regarding the other 10 charges as well, detailing other sexual acts Blair forced the children to participate in.

She said the deal received approval from the victims as well as law enforcement agencies that worked on the case and was a good deal for two reasons: the victims would not have to speak publicly about the crimes committed against them and Blair would have an opportunity at life after serving his sentence.

Should the case had gone to trial with Blair being convicted on all charges, he would have faced between 75 and 300 years in prison.

Blair told the court this was part of the reason for entering the Alford Pleas.

“I think with the evidence that’s up against me, it’s my best thing to take a plea deal.”

He had to be expedited from Ohio after being arrested in 2014 –a month after moving to Columbus– by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. A grand jury indicted him in September of the same year.

After accepting the pleas, Harrison County Circuit Judge John Lewis Marks ordered Blair be remanded into the custody of the Sheriff’s Department to be transported to North Central Region Jail with the opportunity to request bond after being subjected to DNA and HIV testing.

In this matter, the state argued for him to be taken into custody as he had attempted to make contact with the victims in person and over the internet. The defense countered that Blair has been on probation for 11 months without a recorded violation.

A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Marks, which will evaluate, among other factors, Blair’s claim of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 21 where the state will argue for two sentences of 10-20 years in prison, while the defense will argue for alternative sentencing such as probation after attempting to line up sex offender treatment for his client.

Blair will have to register as a sex offender and must report as such for the rest of his life.





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