Lewis County Grand Jury Indicts 26 on a Variety of Charges

The November term of the Lewis County grand jury handed up 26 indictments, Monday.

Eric Metz, 39 of Weston, faces armed robbery, malicious wounding, conspiracy, burglary, and petit larceny charges.

Metz is already in the Central Regional Jail on similar charges and was recently accused of trying to get someone to kill the man he is accused of robbing.

The grand jury indicted thrree people for their parts in a break-in at the Weston McDonald's.

Christopher Eakle, 27 of Clarksburg, Patricia Stemple, 22 of Weston and April Payne, 25 of Lost Creek, all face conspiracy charges.

The grand jury also indicted Eakle on entering without breaking, grand larceny, and attempted grand larceny; Stemple, with aiding and abetting; and Payne with accessory after the fact.

Prosecutors say Stemple was a manager at the restaurant and that he gave Eakle a key to break in.

They allege Payne helped Eakle hide the money.

Also indicted was Pamela Blubaugh, 48 of Ireland, for cruelty to animals.

Deputies raided Blubaugh's home and seized more than 70 dogs, after discovering she was running a private, unlicensed rescue shelter.

The dogs were taken to shelters in nearby counties.

The seizure was an issue at Lewis County Commission meetings for weeks following the raid.

Jedadiah Stump, 22 of Hacker Valley and Matthew Painter, 21 of Rock Cave were both indicted for grand larceny and conspiracy.

The two allegedly stole an ATV from a home in Walkersville, last February.

Justin Riggs, 26 of French Creek was indicted for DUI causing death, child neglect resulting in injury and possessing a precursor to methanmphetamine.

Last October, Riggs was under the influence of a controlled substance when he crossed the centerline, causing an accident that killed Samantha Chidester, prosecutors said.

Riggs had a child in the car during the wreck. The child was not restrained and was injured, according to prosecutors.

Officers also allegedly found pseudoephedrine on Riggs at the accident scene.

Eight of the indictments were sealed.

MORE FROM WBOY-TV

WBOY-TV Section Front

StormTracker 12 Forecast Man Shot in Fairmont Early Friday Morning Report: WVU Fans Are Rude Two Vehicles Involved in Accident on Route 50 in Harrison County UPDATE: Randolph Co. Sheriff's Department Investigating Armed Robbery WBOY-TV Section Front   Add WBOY-TV headlines to your news reader: