RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A man is facing multiple charges after a reported sexual assault involving two individuals, including a juvenile, at a local hotel.
According to the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on March 13, 2026, to the Country Inn & Suites for a reported sexual assault. Upon arrival, deputies made contact in the parking lot with two complainants — an adult female and a 17-year-old juvenile — who said they had rented a room with two beds for the evening.
The adult told deputies she had invited a male friend, identified as Phillip Wriston, to the room. The juvenile reported that after both individuals went to sleep, she had previously asked Wriston to leave, but he refused.
She told deputies she later awoke to Wriston allegedly touching her back and buttocks underneath her clothing, making skin-to-skin contact. The juvenile stated the incident occurred more than once and made her feel uncomfortable, prompting her to leave the room.
The second complainant said she was unaware the juvenile had left and reported waking up to Wriston in bed with her while she was lying on her stomach. She told deputies he allegedly touched her back, buttocks, and breasts underneath her clothing on two separate occasions. She then left the room after retrieving her phone.
Deputies later made contact with Wriston, who admitted to being in bed with both victims and touching them.
Wriston has been charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse. He is in Southern Regional Jail under a 100,000 dollar bond.
