CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A grand jury in Harrison County has indicted 71 individuals on various charges during its September 2025 session. Among those charged are a teacher’s aide accused of sexually abusing a student and a man linked to a murder that occurred last year.
Victor Chess, 51, from Clarksburg, faces multiple charges in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a 7-year-old girl while he was working as a teaching aide at North View Elementary School. Arrested in May 2024, Chess is now indicted on three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of sexual abuse by a guardian or custodian, three counts of sexual contact against students as a school employee, along with one count each of attempted first-degree sexual abuse and attempted sexual contact against students.
The situation has raised serious concerns within the community about the safety of students under the care of school personnel. The indictment has triggered discussions about child protection measures and the oversight of educational staff.
In a separate case, Taneil Thompson, 19, of Akron, Ohio, has been charged with complicity in the murder of Dallion Lewis, which occurred in 2024 on Jack Run Road. Prosecutors allege that Thompson concealed himself in the trunk of a vehicle that Lewis was lured into, alongside another suspect, Kameron Griffin. When their vehicle was stopped by Dennis High, who was convicted of murder last week, Thompson and Griffin exited the car. Griffin is accused of shooting Lewis over a theft of $100.
Thompson faces serious charges, including one count of murder, one count of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. These cases underscore the complexity and severity of the issues being addressed by law enforcement and the judicial system in Harrison County.
The grand jury’s decision to indict so many individuals illustrates the ongoing legal struggles within the community. More comprehensive information regarding the indictments is available for public review.
The facts and circumstances presented in this article are subject to change. This automatically generated content may contain inaccuracies, and requests for corrections or removals can be submitted via email at contact@publiclawlibrary.org.