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Marietta, Ohio authorities are upset with the West Virginia judicial system.
John H. Richards, a native of Calhoun, is free on bond and has not been extradited
back to Ohio to face charges lodged against him.
Richards is wanted on abduction charges stemming from a series of alleged sexual offenses in Reno, Ohio in
2002.
Lt. Jeff Seevers of the Washington County Sheriff's Department wants Richards to stand trial. Richards has been
accused of the attempted abduction of a Marietta woman and her teen-age daughter at a car wash in Reno.
Lt. Seevers has variously accused West Virginia officials for the failure to get the suspect back to Ohio, complaining he is
out on bond. He did not use an extradition process using the governor's office, which could have expedited the
matter.
The police officer initially complained to the Parkersburg News about Magistrate Rick Postalwait not getting Richards
back to Ohio. Postalwait said "The last time I checked we still live in America, which uses constitutional law and due
process, not a police state."
"Sometimes due process may be frustrating, but we are governed by laws, checks and balances," said
Postalwait.
Richards was charged this week in Grantsville on a warrant issued by the West
Virginia State Police for receiving stolen property. He was charged and released on
$12,000 cash bond by Magistrate Teresa Robinson.
The stolen property charges are reportedly linked to merchandise stolen in
Calhoun County.
West Virginia magistrates have responded to Deputy Seevers' complaints, saying everyone is entitled to have bond set by
a magistrate, except in capital offense cases.
Magistrate Robinson said she followed the law.
Extradition proceedings are currently going on in Braxton County where attorney David Karickhoff of Sutton, filed to
appeal the decision to the West Virginia Supreme Court.
"It's unbelievable how long it's taking," said Lt. Seevers.
"In today's world this is not unusual anymore. I just don't understand. We're not the ones letting him out. It's part of the
system," said Seevers. "If I had my druthers, he'd be having his day in court rather than (him) running around making
another dozen victims," he told the Parkersburg News.
Richards' criminal history includes:
On May 15, 1989, Richards was involved in incidents in the Parkersburg area in which he made sexual remarks and
exposed himself in front of several women at Parkersburg City Park, and parking lots at two Krogers, the Grand Central
Mall and Stables Motel, according to court records.
He also attacked and attempted to abduct one woman, who fought him off and was able to get away, according to
authorities.
As a result of his crime spree, Richards served about seven years in prison and has been registered as a sex offender in
West Virginia.
On April 16, 2000, Richards was arrested in Marietta after allegedly exposing himself at a McHappy's drive through. He
failed to appear in Marietta Municipal Court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On July 26, 2001, Richards was arrested in Spencer after allegedly exposing himself in front of two women. He was
charged with two counts of soliciting lewd sex acts and two counts of indecent exposure.
On Dec. 6, 2001, Richards was arrested again in Spencer after allegedly entering a laundry, threatening a woman and
forcing her to watch him perform sex acts. He was later indicted from this incident on a felony charge of abduction in the
Roane County Circuit Court.
Records indicate in two Roane County cases, Richards was offered a plea agreement and he pleaded guilty to charges of
soliciting prostitution and assault. He was sentenced to 10 months confinement and was given credit for 123 days
served.
Then there are the abduction charges and incidents in Reno, Ohio.
Sources indicated yesterday there is movement in getting Richards extradited to Ohio.
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