Two sex offenders headed to prison for federal crimes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two sex offenders were sentenced to prison for federal crimes, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto.

Jeremy L. Kelley, 39, of Parkersburg, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston to 15 years in prison for attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Following his release from federal prison, he will be placed on supervised release for 30 years and will also be required to register as a sex offender. Kelley admitted that on September 6, 2014, he intentionally placed a cell phone in a vent located above a shower in a bathroom. Kelley further admitted that he placed the cell phone in the vent so that he could secretly record a minor in the shower. Law enforcement located a removable media device at Kelley’s Parkersburg residence in November 2015, and an analysis of that device revealed over 600 images of child pornography. More than 600 images of child pornography were also located on another cell phone and a computer used by Kelley at his place of employment in Pleasants County, located in the Northern District of West Virginia. Kelley also admitted to sharing some of the child pornography over the Internet. Kelley’s prosecution was the result of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together in both the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia.

In a separate prosecution, James Roy Arthur, 45, formerly of Charleston, was sentenced in federal court in Huntington to three years and five months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for failing to register as a sex offender. Arthur was convicted in 1996 in Kanawha County Circuit Court of Second Degree Sexual Assault. As a result of this conviction, Arthur was required to register as a sex offender. Around January 1, 2016, Arthur moved to Fort Gay in Wayne County, and did not register as a sex offender, despite knowing it was required by law. Arthur continued to reside in Wayne County until his arrest on January 31, 2016.

The investigation of Kelley was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Parkersburg Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa G. Johnston and Sarah W. Montoro are in charge of the prosecution of Kelley. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed Kelley’s sentence.

The United States Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation of Arthur. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is in charge of Arthur’s prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed Arthur’s sentence.

These cases were brought as part of an ongoing initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.

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