Cumberland Times-News

Local News

March 16, 2010

Grant grand jury indicts suspected Smoke Hole arsonist

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

Petersburg — PETERSBURG, W.Va. — A Grant County man was indicted last week in connection with the November arson at the Smoke Hole Cavern that injured a police officer and two volunteer firefighters.

Brent Michael Combs, 25, of Cabins, was charged with first- and second-degree arson and starting a fire that caused injuries.

Combs remained jailed Tuesday at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail on $285,000 bond where he has been jailed since his arrest a short time after the alleged arson at the gift shop of the Smoke Hole Cavern.

The fire caused injuries to Grant County Deputy Steve Wratchford and Moorefield volunteer firefighters Josh Weese and Aaron Crites.

The arrest was made following investigation by the sheriff’s office and the West Virginia State Fire Marshal.

Evidence in the case included dog hair and a malt liquor bottle found at the scene of the fire. The hair matched that of a dog owned by the defendant. The liquor was the same brand that was purchased earlier that evening at a nearby store.

The investigation included witness testimony that Combs allegedly made a large purchase of gasoline the same evening of the fire and testimony from a witness, according to court documents.

Combs could face up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000 if convicted on all the charges.

Fourteen people were indicted by the March term of the Grant County grand jury, including Robert A. Cook, Old Fields, and Barbara Ann Thomas, no address given, on charges of grand larceny.

The charges stemmed from allegations involving the theft of four firearms, binoculars, a hunting jacket and a sleeping bag from a Franklin Pike residence.

The victim discovered the loss of the property after returning home from work last Jan. 22. There were no signs of forced entry. Thomas allegedly had knowledge about a spare key that was kept outside the victim’s residence.

Bond was set at $11,000 for the defendants. who face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

In another report, David Edward Bauer, 45, of Keyser, was indicted for driving under the influence (second offense), and driving while revoked for a DUI offense. The charges stemmed from a traffic stop on state Route 42 in Maysville.

Bauer was jailed on $30,000 bond and is facing up to three years in prison and a fine up to $5,000, if convicted.

The grand jury also indicted Paul Nelson Barnes, 48, of Moorefield, on charges of burglary and second-degree sexual assault.

The charges stemmed from alleged burglary of a residence where the accused allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend, who had been living there. The victim said she was assaulted with a fireplace poker and knocked unconscious.

Investigation determined the victim had previously obtained a domestic violence protection order against the accused, citing fears of violence and physical violence.

If convicted, Barnes is facing a five-year prison term and maximum fine of $10,000.

Bradley Scott Turner, 28, of Franklin, was indicted for possession with intent to deliver a controlled dangerous substance, which, upon conviction, carries a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to $15,000.

The complaint alleged Turner was in possession of 16 grams of amphetamine, in addition to a smoking device and baggies at the time of a traffic stop in January. Turner fled during the stop but was apprehended a short time later with assistance of a K-9 unit. He was also said to be in possession of alprazolam and clonazepam at the time of the arrest.

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