Former deputy sheriff Bradley Totten pled not guilty last Wednesday morning to 12 counts of felony sex crimes. The former deputy looked straight ahead as Judge James Rowe read the charges against him.

Totten was indicted last month on three counts sexual assault in the third degree; five counts sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian; one count sexual abuse in the second degree; one count sexual abuse in the first degree; one count attempted sexual abuse in the first degree; one count intercourse with an incarcerated person by a person who is acting as a deputy sheriff.

Rowe set bond at $50,000. Totten could face up to 66 years in prison if found guilty on all charges, the judge said.

Totten will be allowed to leave the State of West Virginia to work in Texas and California, but Rowe said he must agree to waive extradition in the event the court requires him to return to West Virginia. He was ordered to have no contact with any of the alleged victims or their families.

He is represented by Michael Callaghan, of Charleston. Special Prosecutor Brian Parsons, of Fayette County, represented the State of West Virginia. Pocahontas County Prosecuting Attorney Donna Meadows-Price was recused from the case last year.
Callaghan said he "had no reason in the world to think [Totten] is a flight risk."

Investigator Rob Simon said after the hearing that the investigation is ongoing.

Trial is scheduled for July 25.

In other court news on May 9:
Steven Adkins was also arraigned Wednesday. Adkins pled not guilty to two counts delivery of a controlled substance. Trial was set for July 17. Adkins, 38, of Buckeye, was allowed to remain free on bond.

State vs. Traci Douglas-Rexrode. Rowe conditionally accepted the defendant's waiver of indictment and plea of guilty to a misdemeanor Information on a possession of a controlled substance. Douglas-Rexrode, 36, of Bartow, will remain on bond until sentencing July 20. Her attorney, Mason Preston, said she had not qualified for Drug Court because she had been clean for so long. Preston said Douglas-Rexrode was successful with Pocahontas County Day Report. Douglas-Rexrode was originally charged with manufacturing a controlled substance.
State vs. Roger W. Teter, Jr. Rowe conditionally accepted Teter's waiver of indictment and plea of guilty to a misdemeanor Information, possession of a controlled substance and petit larceny. Prosecuting Attorney Donna Price said victims in the case did not want Teter to be prosecuted. Teter, 38, of Buckeye, was scheduled for sentencing and disposition on July 6.

State vs. Charles Everette Ellison. Ellison, 35, of Slaty Fork, asked for his bond to be reduced. Price asked that bond be set at $12,500. Rowe allowed Ellison's bond to be set for $10,000 cash or surety with the added condition of home confinement.
State vs. William J. Russell. Rowe accepted Russell's waiver of hearing and stipulation to charges. Russell also has pending charges in magistrate court. Rowe denied a motion that Russell be admitted to home confinement and revoked his bond. Russell, 38, is from Cass.

State vs. Charles E. Stull. Stull, 52, asked for a change of venue due to public sentiment in northern Pocahontas County and its effect on a jury trial. Price objected to a change of venue and stated that questionnaires could be sent to the jurors for qualifying. Rowe denied the motion and permitted a panel of jurors to be called May 23 for qualification. Rowe also denied a motion for bond of $30,000, and Stull's release from jail. Trial date was set for May 29, with a tentative date of June 7. Stull, of Durbin, is charged with murder in the first degree.

Carr said Rowe returned to the bench in Pocahontas County on Friday, May 11 to hear the following cases:

State vs. George Bradley Sewell. Sewell, 30, of Hillsboro, was returned to bond with the added condition of home confinement for 45 days. Sewell waived hearings and stipulated to taking suboxone, Rowe accepted the waiver and found guilty of violating his bond. Price told the Court that this incident is Sewell's first bond violation, and asked Rowe to reimpose the sentence to give Sewell an opportunity to apply for Drug Court. Day Report officer Chuck Alexander confirmed that Sewell had gained employment.

State vs. Zachary Morrison. Morrison, 23, of Buckeye, pled guilty to a felony Information, delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, non-narcotic. Rowe allowed Morrison to post $2,500 bond with the condition of home confinement. Morrison will be sentenced on July 20.

State vs. David M. Cain. Rowe dismissed the case after Price related that the victim in the matter did not wish to pursue charges.

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