McDowell County man charged with felonies including third-degree sexual assault, McDowell County man charged with sexual assault.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
June 8—Princeton—Robert George Estep, a 55-year-old man from Avondale in McDowell County, has been charged with serious felonies in Mercer County, including third-degree sexual assault and soliciting a minor via computer. These charges stem from his alleged involvement with a female juvenile in Mercer County.
The charges against Estep, as detailed in a criminal complaint filed by Lt. S.A. Sommers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, include two counts of third-degree sexual assault, soliciting a minor via computer, and traveling to engage a minor in prohibited sexual activity.
The investigation into Estep began on May 10, when Sommers was alerted to a female juvenile who had disclosed instances of sexual contact. During a forensic interview, the juvenile revealed that she had met Estep, who identified himself as George, at a store near the intersection of Route 20 and Maple Acres Road.
According to Sommers’ report, Estep gave the juvenile a business card with his cellphone number before she left the store. Subsequent communication between Estep and the juvenile took place through text messages and phone calls, with the juvenile initiating contact after returning home.
A forensic examination of the juvenile’s cellphone uncovered seven FaceTime calls and 143 text messages exchanged between her and Estep. These messages reportedly detailed arrangements to meet at the juvenile’s home in the absence of adults and described sexual activities. Upon learning the juvenile’s age, Estep allegedly apologised, claiming she looked older, before requesting to FaceTime with her.
Following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, Estep was taken into custody and subsequently released on bond, as per records from the Mercer County Magistrate Clerk’s Office.
In West Virginia, third-degree sexual assault carries a potential sentence of one to five years in prison, while soliciting a minor and travelling to engage a minor in prohibited sexual activity could lead to a two to ten-year prison term under the West Virginia Code.
For further information, please contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com.
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McDowell County man charged with felonies including sexual assault charges
McDowell County man facing third-degree sexual assault charges.
