Sex Offender Charged With Failure To Update Registration

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
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ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Charles D. Blackwell Jr., 57, of Morgantown, West Virginia, with failing to register as a sex offender, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Blackwell was previously convicted of “Rape” in November 1975 in the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton County, Pennsylvania. He was also convicted of “Attempt to Commit Rape” in October 1983 in the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. As a result of these convictions, he is required to register as a sex offender.

An investigation by the West Virginia State Police and the United States Marshals Service revealed that in approximately October 2014, Blackwell moved from West Virginia to Pennsylvania without updating his sex offender registration.

Blackwell is charged with one count of “Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration.” He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Morgan is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.