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By WARREN SCOTT
Staff writer
WELLSBURG -- Pleas were entered in Brooke County Circuit Court Tuesday for two sexual assault cases, one of them tied to a pending civil suit against the Brooke County Board of Education.
Rodney D. Taylor, 20, of Wellsburg, was sentenced to 10 to 25 years of home confinement followed by up to 50 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, a felony; and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor, before 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jason Cuomo.
The sentence came through a plea agreement reached by Thomas Kroger, Taylor's court-appointed attorney; and Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden.
Cowden told the court the agreement was supported by the family of the victim, who didn't want to see Taylor go to prison.
The sentiment was echoed by attorney Dean Makricostas, who told the court Taylor's actions will have a life-long impact on the victim but the victim's family "doesn't want to prolong this part of the process."
Makricostas is representing the victim's parents in a civil suit alleging Brooke County school personnel failed to act when they raised concerns about Taylor while he and their child were aboard a special needs school bus together in fall 2023.
Filed on behalf of John and Jane Doe, the civil suit is pending in 1st Judicial Circuit Court.
Cuomo asked Taylor whether he understood the grand jury indictment against him and other court documents affecting the outcome of his case.
Taylor confirmed that he has limited ability to read and would have trouble reading the full indictment but had discussed it with his attorney.
He later confirmed that he understood he could serve 10 to 25 years in prison for the felony charge and up to 12 months in jail for each of the two misdemeanors if he failed to follow the conditions of his home confinement.
Cowden told the court she was surprised when a psychologist found Taylor competent to recognize his criminal responsibility but was assured he understood the judicial process
Cuomo said he wanted to be sure Taylor understood his rights and the impact of the plea agreement and asked many questions of him during the hearing.
The judge told Taylor he will be required to register as a convicted sex offender for life and may not have contact with any minors.
Kroger had asked earlier if Taylor would be permitted to be present when a family member, with whom he lives, has young guests on holidays.
Cowden objected, saying, "Home confinement should be home confinement. His house should be a jail cell for all intents and purposes."
Her objection was supported by the court, and it was noted Taylor will be required to wear an electronic monitor on his ankle during his home confinement.
In another case, Garrett Colley, 21, of Wellsburg, entered a Kennedy plea to the charge of third-degree sexual assault.
Also known as an Alford plea in other states, a Kennedy plea is entered when a defendant denies he or she committed a crime but acknowledges a jury could be persuaded of his or her guilt.
For Cuomo, Colley confirmed he denied the allegations made against him but agreed to the terms of the plea agreement submitted for him by attorney Kevin Neiswonger.
Through it, Colley may serve one to five years in prison, followed by 50 years of supervised release, and register as a convicted sex offender for life.
It also allows other charges against Colley to be dropped.
Cowden said the charges stem from multiple acts of inappropriate sexual contact reported by the victim, a minor, in 2023.
Colley is slated to return for sentencing at a later date.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)