Woman pleads guilty to embezzling over $70,000 from Harrison, West Virginia, funeral home

If the court denies a deferred adjudication request, the sides will join in recommending a prison term of 1 to 10 years be suspended for five years’ probation.

Post also agrees to pay restitution of nearly $73,000.

The next hearing is set for May 13.

Also:

— Harrison Circuit Judge Thomas A. Bedell has probated Latasha Lynn Teets, 38, of Clarksburg, for felony unlawful assault.

The court suspended the possible prison term of 1 to 5 years, ordering Teets to have no contact with the victim and to continue treatment.

The victim approved of probation.

Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Watson had the state’s case.

— Tyler Pifer of Elkins has entered a plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi to mail fraud.

Wrongdoing is alleged in 2018 in Randolph County. The government alleges Pifer and another male worked together to defraud an insurance company out of about $3,650 by faking a vehicle crash involving a deer.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh will have final say over plea acceptance.

— Jonathon Wade Cochran, 42, of Shinnston, has waived his probable cause hearing before Harrison Magistrate Kimberly Wygal on charges of unlawful gun possession and fleeing with reckless indifference, according to court records.

Deputy D.K. Nuzum investigated, alleging unlawful flight last December.

— Eric B. Thompson, 38, of Fairmont, has waived his probable cause hearing before Harrison Magistrate Warren “Gizzy” Davis on a charge of child neglect creating risk of injury.

Harrison Sheriff’s Patrol Sgt. B.C. Deem alleged a baby could have been injured when Thompson wrecked his vehicle after what was reported as a road rage incident.

— Kizzy Marie Peters, 27, of Clarksburg, has waived her probable cause hearing before Davis on a felony child neglect charge.

On Nov. 9, Peters had suspected fentanyl in reach of her children, who are all under age 10, an agent for the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force has alleged.

— Bedell has sentenced Damian Joseph Rutter, 41, of Shinnston, to a year in jail for felony grand larceny.

On Nov. 14, 2022, Rutter stole a 2003 Ford Expedition worth $4,500 from East Gate Used Cars, Salem, the state alleged.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Laura Pickens had the state’s case.

— Oswaldo J. Venesas, 50, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, has waived his probable cause hearing on charges of possession of counterfeit bills with intent to utter, and conspiracy. Codefendant Miriam Judith Pareja Leva, 37, of Elizabethport, New Jersey, agreed to a postponement while she applies for court-appointed counsel.

Leva passed five phony $100 bills for two Nintendo Switches worth about $585, while Venesas passed the same amount of fake Benjamins for a Quest 3 worth about $535, Clarksburg Patrol Officer F.E. Sprouse has alleged. Wrongdoing occurred at the Emily Drive Walmart, Sprouse alleged.

The two were picked up later the same day for a similar incident at the White Hall Walmart, and White Hall officers seized $9,800 in counterfeit bills, according to the complaint.

Pickens represents the state. Magistrate Kimberly Wygal presided.

— Devonna Nicole Moul, also known as Devonna Nicole Keyser, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Aloi took the plea. Kleeh has final say on plea acceptance.

Wrongdoing was alleged last May 8 in Randolph County.

Assistant U.S. attorneys Stephen Warner and Morgan McKee represented the government in the indictment. Buckhannon attorney Brian Bailey is counsel for the defendant.

— A possession with intent to deliver charge against Paul Bernard Snyder Jr., 44, of Shinnston, has been dismissed in Harrison County Magistrate Court.