Lewis Grand Jury Returns 10 Indictments
By JOHN WICKLINE, Staff WriterA Jane Lew woman could face 10 years in prison after allegedly bilking a long-time acquaintance out of more than $197,000 in the past decade. Sue Ann Arbogast, 47, of 1221 Broad Run Road, was indicted by the Lewis County grand jury this week on felony charges of grand larceny, obtaining money by false pretenses and grand larceny by fraudulent scheme.
According to court records, Arbogast reportedly received $5,000 from a now 85-year-old man to help with the purchase of a farm. Court records state that there was an agreement to repay the money. The man was never repaid the money, according to the documents.
In 2006, the man was told by Arbogast of an estate that she would receive and that would pay the man millions of dollars and gas rights if he agreed to help her. The man was told the money needed had to be in cash, and that he should not contact the attorney handling the estate. It is alleged in the indictment that Arbogast posed as an attorney in telephone conversations.
Later that same year, the daughter of the 85-year-old man began noticing large amounts of money taken from the man's bank accounts. She later told investigators that her father had borrowed money from at least 10 people in order to give it to Arbogast.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that there is enough evidence to proceed with the matter in the court system.
Also indicted by the grand jury was Richard Glen Hayhurst Jr., 38, of 1025 Middle Run Road, Weston, on felony charges of grand larceny, receiving stolen goods and aiding in concealing stolen goods. According to court records, Hayhurst took an all-terrain vehicle from a Jackson's Mill residence in October 2007 and later hid the item in a barn near the Harrison County line.
Phillip Matthew Montgomery, 24, of 332 Westfield Road, Jane Lew, was indicted on felony charges of destruction of property and third-degree arson. According to court records, Montgomery used a cigarette lighter to set fire and destroy a 2002 Jeep Wrangler in May 2008.
Paul Russell Beer, of 4153 Right Freemans Creek Road, Weston, was indicted on felony charges of burglary and grand larceny. He is charged with stealing several tools in October 2006, according to court records.
Billy Joe Farley, 26, of 18 Perry Ables Hollow, Weston, was indicted on felony charges of burglary and petit larceny. According to court documents, Farley took a PlayStation 3 game console and two wireless remote controllers from a dwelling in November 2007 and later sold them at a local pawn shop for $200.
Bradley Scott Dancy, 33, of HC 72, Box 37A, Procious, was indicted on felony charges of burglary and grand larceny. According to court records, Dancy is alleged to have taken a 30-06 rifle, a .22-caliber rifle and a 16-gauge double-barrel shotgun from a residence in January 2008. It is also alleged he tried to sell some of the guns in Clay County.
James Scott Wyatt, 25, of 23 Wildcat Road, Ireland, was indicted on a felony charge of third-degree sexual assault. According to court records, he reportedly engaged in sexual relations with a female younger than age of 16 in January 2008.
Michael Scott Lawson, 36, of 53 Bannister St., Weston, was indicted on a felony charge of petit larceny. According to court records, he is charged with taking four wine coolers and a compact disk from the Weston Go Mart in December 2007.
Anthony Dion Raleigh, 40, of Route 2, Box 157, Jane Lew, was indicted on felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while having an alcohol concentration in his blood of .08 of 1 percent or more by weight. He was also indicted on a misdemeanor charge of driving while his license was suspended.
Hubert Arnold Westbrook, 30, of 147 Jackson St., Weston, was indicted on a felony charge of driving while his license was revoked for DUI.
