Lewis County man sentenced for attempting to obstruct hate crime investigation

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Troy Anthony Pertuset, 37, of Jane Lew, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison for obstructing justice by tampering with a witness.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Pertuset was arrested by the Weston Police Department and charged with a hate crime for allegedly shooting a paintball gun at an African American man and shouting racial slurs. While Pertuset was in custody, investigators say he called a witness and asked that the person take the blame for firing the gun.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod Douglas and Sarah Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.