CROSS LANES, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Cross Lanes man is currently being held at South Central Regional Jail in connection to the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office reports that, in February of this year, the sheriff’s office was contacted regarding the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile female.
An investigation was set into motion and detectives learned that the victim of the alleged assault, a 14-year-old girl, had run away from home on February 23, 2023, and returned the following day.
The juvenile disclosed to deputies and family members that she had been sexually assaulted during the period she had been away from home, and was taken to a local hospital to receive a sexual assault examination.
The victim disclosed the assault in detail during an interview at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), providing details regarding a camper and location where the contact occurred. Detectives successfully located the camper and determined the owner to be John F. Kiser – 59 years old of Cross Lanes, West Virginia.
Detective J.R. Coleman of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Section conducted an interview with Kiser, who admitted to having contact with the 14-year-old juvenile but denied any sexual allegations.
A search warrant was obtained by Detective Coleman for Kiser’s DNA and it was determined by a West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory Report that Kiser’s DNA was found on the swabs which had been taken during the sexual assault examination performed on the victim.
Charges were filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court by Detective J.R. Colemanfor for sexual assault in the third degree, leading to the apprehension of Kiser.
The suspect was arraigned by a Kanawha County Magistrate and a bond was set in the amount of $200,000.00 property or 10% cash. Kiser is currently being held at South Central Regional Jail.
Those with information regarding the case are encouraged to contact Detective J.R. Coleman at (304) 357-0169.