CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Harrison County man serving on Lumberport’s town council has pled guilty to charges related to sex crimes committed against underage females.
David Junior Markley, 65, of Lumberport, admitted to the court Thrusday morning that some time between 1983-1985 and again in 2014 he initiated unwanted sexual acts with underage females.
The first instance involved a girl under the age of 11 at the time, where he coerced her into performing oral sex on him.
He said that while he was under the influence of alcohol, he knew his actions were wrong.
The second incident took place in November of 2014 where he inappropriately touched an underage girl who was in his care.
“I touched [the victim] on the vagina with my hand over her clothes,” Markley told the court.
He admitted that both acts were done for his sexual pleasure.
Markley was initially arrested back in January and later indicted by a Harrison County grand jury in September on six counts.
He was released on bond and the won reelection for his seat on council in June, receiving the least amount of votes among five people running for five positions.
Thursday’s pleas come as part of an agreement with the state to drop four of the six counts if he pled guilty to one count of fist degree sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust and first degree sexual assault.
The state, represented by Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Armstrong, said that three victims had been consulted and they felt the deal was one that brought Markley to justice.
Because the assault was committed in the mid-1980s, sentencing will be based off the guideline during that time.
Each count carries a 10-20 years term along with up to $15,000 total in fines. Markely may also be subject to 50 years of supervised release and will have to register as a sex offender.
Circut Judge John Marks did not immediately rule on the pleas, but wanted to look over the police report and a presentencing investigation before making a decision.
If he does accept, the hearing on February 10 will then lead into sentencing.