Harry Fred Wells, 53, of Follansbee, was one of four men from the Northern Panhandle indicted by a federal grand jury last week for federal sex offenses.
Wells was charged with enticement of a minor for sex using a computer, transfer of obscene material to a minor and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Wells allegedly tried to persuade a child to engage in sexual activity, sent obscene material to the minor, and had child pornography on his cell phone.
Also charged was David Edward Evans, 53, of Moundsville, for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Evans uploaded pornographic images of minors to Google Photos. Investigators then searched Evans’ phone and found more images and videos depicting a pre-pubescent minor less than 12 years old.
Carl Dennis Colvin, 70, of Wheeling, was charged with possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Colvin had child pornography on his computer depicting children under the age of 12.
Caleb Dale Steiner, 42, also of Wheeling, was indicted on a charge of failure to register.
According to court documents, Steiner must register as a sex offender and traveled across state lines without updating his registration with his new address.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue all those who seek to harm children,” said U. S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Thanks to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, the individuals charged won’t be able to hurt anyone for a long time to come.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.
The Dept. of Homeland Security Investigations investigated the Wells case and the West Virginia State Police investigated the Evans case.
The Wheeling Police Department investigated the Colvin matter with assistance of the Dept. of Homeland Security Investigations, and the U. S. Marshals Service investigated the Steiner case.
Indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
