Wheeling Man Sentenced For Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist

WHEELING, WV – A Wheeling man was sentenced by Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. for failure to register as a sex offender and two others entered pleas of guilty.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that: JONAH L. BEGAY, age 38, a sex offender from Utah who moved to Wheeling last year, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and five years of supervised release for "Failure to Register and Update Registration as a Sex Offender." BEGAY was previously convicted in Utah District Court of “Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child” and as a result is required to register as a sex offender under both state and federal law. His conviction in Utah involved a 10-year old victim. On November 11, 2013, police officers were advised that an individual later identified as Mr. BEGAY was being aggressive and appeared to be intoxicated in an area near Bridge Street Middle School. Officers responded and arrested BEGAY and then learned that he had moved to Wheeling in June, and in October began working at the McDonald’s restaurant in the Elm Grove section of Wheeling. At no point did BEGAY update his registration with the State of Utah nor did he register in the State of West Virginia. BEGAY was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending designation to a Federal institution. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin and investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police.

JAVON L. SCOTT, age 28, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.” SCOTT, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 10 years in
prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KRISTEN NIEMAN, age 22, of Benwood, West Virginia, entered a plea of guilty to “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 Feet of the Moundsville Middle School.” NIEMAN, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces up to 40 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and was investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the Moundsville Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The following appeared before Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert:

MARK TUCKER, age 44, of Wheeling, entered a plea of guilty to “Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery.” As part of his plea, TUCKER will make restitution to Wheeling Hospital in the amount of $2,923. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Stein and investigated by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.