Second arrest on sexual abuse charges

 by: Rachel Baldwin

The husband of Jennifer Parsons, a Matewan Middle School teacher arrested on sexual abuse charges, was also arrested after an ongoing investigation by the West Virginia State Police (WVSP).

The investigation, which began in November of this year, has resulted in the arrest of a Matewan resident on charges of 3rd degree sexual assault of a minor.

WVSP Senior Trooper C.D. Douglas arrested John Parsons, 32, who stands accused of having sexual contact with a 13-year-old female who was staying in his residence at Blackberry City between the dates of Oct. 1-31 of this year.

According to the criminal complaint and the request for an arrest warrant that were filed before Magistrate Dee Sidebottom by Trooper Douglas, Parsons allegedly had sexual contact with the teen on two separate occasions. This contact consisted of using his hands to grope the juvenile under her clothing, placing his hands under her pants and shirt, kissing her on the mouth, groping her buttocks above her clothing, as well as other illegal acts.

The misdemeanor charge against Parsons states that a person is guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree when he subjects another person to sexual contact without the latter’s consent, or when such lack of consent is due to the victim’s incapacity to consent by reason of being less than 16 years of age. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and if upon conviction thereof, shall be confined to the county jail not more than 90 days and/or be fined not more than $500.

The defendant posted bond after being formally arraigned on the charge before Magistrate Sidebottom and will be appearing back in court in the near future for a hearing to answer these charges.

This article originally appeared on loganbanner