Former Barbour County EMT indicted on 25 sex crime-related charges

PHILIPPI, W.Va. — A Barbour County Grand Jury indicted a former county EMT and Alderson Broaddus University student who faces 25 counts of sexual assault in varying degrees.

James Roland L’Heureux, 21, of Kennebunk, Maine, is accused of having sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl on numerous occasions, beginning in 2015 when he was a 19-year-old student at Alderson Broaddus University.

The indictment returned includes five felony counts of sexual assault in the first degree, 15 felony counts of sexual assault in the third degree, and five felony counts of soliciting a minor via computer.

The now 13-year-old alleged victim came forward in August to interview with the Child Advocacy Center.

She told police the alleged abuse occurred for about 18 months.

According to the criminal complaint, a Philippi Police Department officer found L’Heureux in the early morning hours of March 16, 2015 in a vehicle near the campus of Alderson Broaddus University. The patrolman stated in an interview with State Police, “that it was clear that James [L’Heureux] and the second person in the vehicle were engaging in sexual intercourse.”

The patrolman said he saw two legs in the back of the vehicle, but couldn’t see the person. L’Heureux told the officer that everything was fine. No arrest was made at the time.

L’Heureux was serving as a Barbour County EMT at the time of that incident.

He is in Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.





More News

News
Attorney general announces state will seek Supreme Court review of transgender athlete case
Morrisey made the announcement of a Supreme Court appeal attempt at a press conference surrounded by other political figures and Riley Gaines, the former collegiate swimmer who has been active in the politics surrounding gender identity and women’s sports.
April 24, 2024 - 3:13 pm
News
Huntington housing survey shows gaps in home ownership as new businesses move in
The Huntington Area Housing Needs Assessment was released Wednesday.
April 24, 2024 - 1:12 pm
News
Health officials discuss preventative measures to take following first confirmed measles case in West Virginia since 2009
The case is part of a global and national rise in the virus this year. 
April 24, 2024 - 12:37 pm
News
$1 billion lawsuit by West Virginia governor's businesses against their banker gets bumped to Virginia
April 24, 2024 - 11:24 am