Charleston Karate Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault

An Elkview man was charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year old karate student.  According to the Charleston Gazette, Alan Spangler of Elkview was charged with sexual assault due to allegations that he had sex with a 13-year old who he met through a karate class he taught.  The story is here. Charleston WV Sexual Assault [...]

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Woman Alleges Rape by State Trooper

A woman who lives in Kanawha County has alleged that a West Virginia State Trooper raped her.  The allegation was made against a State Trooper based out of the South Charleston detachment.  According to a story in the Charleston Gazette found here, the incident allegedly occurred on February 9, 2010.  This is the second allegation [...]

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Civil Justice for Victims of College Rape and Sexual Assault

A news story about a college rape victim in Indiana highlighted major concerns about the protection of sexual assault and rape victims on college campuses across the country.   According to the story published by Joseph Shapiro at NPR, many victims of rape or sexual assault on college campuses are left with little or no [...]

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Charleston Police Report Increase in Gang Activity

The Charleston Gazette reported yesterday that there has been an increase in gang-related activity in Charleston, West Virginia in the past few years.  The story is here.  Many victims of gang-related crimes have nothing to do with gangs and are simply innocent citizens that were at the wrong place at the wrong time.   Apartment [...]

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Volunteer Victim Advocate Training in Huntington

The CONTACT Rape Crisis Center in Huntington, West Virginia is offering free training on Saturday, January 31, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church located at 520 11th Street in Huntington.  For more information call CONTACT in Huntington at (304) 523-3447 or email advocate@contacthuntington.com.

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Mother of Logan Rape Victim Reports Police to FBI

The Charleston Gazette ran a story today about the mother of a Logan, West Virginia girl who has alleged that three Logan County deputies raped her.  According to the article, the mother has contacted the FBI due to two Logan deputies following her in December.  The article is here. The story also notes that the [...]

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Q & A with a WV Crime Victim Lawyer

What types of crime victim cases does your office handle? We handle a wide range of crime victim cases.  Generally speaking, a civil lawsuit is usually only filed when a serious crime has been committed.  The following types of crimes can potentially lead to a civil case: murder rape sexual assault stabbing shooting sexual molestation [...]

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WV Trooper Accused of Rape Resigns

The Charleston Gazette reported today that a West Virginia State Trooper accused of rape has resigned.  The article is here.  The Gazette reported that the woman involved alleges she was drunk and forced to have sex with the Trooper last month after he followed her to a friend’s house.   If you or a loved [...]

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Alleged Rape by Logan County Sheriff Deputies

The Charleston Gazette reported today that the State Police are investigating three Logan County Sheriff’s deputies and one Chapmanville police officer in connection with the rape of a girl.  The story is here.   Citizens in West Virginia depend on the police for protection.  To even have an allegation of such a serious nature causes [...]

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Huntington West Virginia Rape Incident

The Herald-Dispatch reported yesterday that a seventeen year old girl was raped at an apartment complex in East Pea Ridge.  The report is here.  The assailant was described in the article as a white male in his 20s, medium slender build, with short, dirty blond hair.  Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or [...]

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