HARRISVILLE - A 56-year-old Kanawha County man was indicted Monday in Ritchie County on charges relating to the molestation of juveniles.
Kenneth R. Fraker of Eskdale was indicted by the Ritchie County grand jury on 93 counts involving allegedly having inappropriate contact and sexually abusing five minors.
Fraker was charged with one count of distribution or display to a minor of obscene material, two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, 36 counts of sexual assault in the third degree and 43 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian or a person in a position of trust to a child.
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Kenneth R. Fraker
According to the indictments, since 2005, Fraker allegedly supplied marijuana and alcohol to minors on a number of occasions, showed pornography to minors, touched them inappropriately, and had sexual contact with them, including intercourse.
"This had been going on for so long," said Ritchie County Prosecutor Judith McCullough.
Fraker allegedly used a tent in the beginning and then got a recreational vehicle (RV) where he would bring the boys, many of whom were from around the Charleston area and one from Ohio, McCullough said.
He also had access to a hunting cabin in Ritchie County. McCullough said the majority of the cases allegedly took place in the RV with instances happening at least twice a month at times.
At least one boy was in the second grade when he was allegedly taken advantage of, she said.
"Some of the boys were able to come forward," McCullough said. "There may turn out to be more."
She credited the West Virginia State Police with conducting a thorough investigation.
The grand jury indicted Fraker unanimously on all 93 counts.
On April 18, Fraker turned himself in to the West Virginia State Police in Kanawha County after authorities in Ritchie County announced they were looking for him in regard to outstanding felony warrants related to the molestation of male juveniles, officials said. He has been held at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County ever since.
Arraignments for the indictments handed down Monday are scheduled to begin today at 1 p.m. at the Ritchie County Courthouse in Harrisville.
Fraker could face years in jail if found guilty.
The charge of distribution or display to a minor of obscene material carries a possible fine of up to $25,000, sexual assault in the second degree carries a possible sentence of 10-25 years for each count, contributing to the delinquency of a minor carries a possible fine of $50-$500 and/or up to a year in jail for each count, sexual abuse in the first degree carries a possible sentence of 1-5 years in jail for each count, sexual assault in the third degree carries a possible sentence of 1-5 years in jail for each count and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian or a person in a position of trust to a child carries a possible sentence of 10-20 years for each count.
In other indictments handed down Monday by the Ritchie County grand jury:
* David R. Tichnell, 44, Glendale, was indicted on six counts of sexual assault in the third degree, six counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian or a person in a position of trust to a child and six counts of incest. He was released on bond.
* James F. Foster, 56, Mineral Buff, Ga., was indicted on five counts of sexual assault in the second degree, eight counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian or a person in a position of trust to a child, five counts of incest and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. He was released on bond.
* Stephen R. McDonald, 38, Smithville, was indicted on two counts of soliciting a minor via a computer and four counts of distribution or display to a minor of obscene material. He was released on bond.
