FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County man is facing multiple criminal charges after two separate alleged assault incidents involving a former friend and his sister.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, John Wayne Butcher has been charged with assault following an incident that allegedly occurred on Feb. 22, 2026, in the Scarbro area. On Feb. 27, the incident was reported to deputies, who were told Butcher had recently been accusing a former friend of having a relationship with Butcher’s former partner. Investigators were told the two had been longtime friends but that Butcher had recently been acting differently.
According to the complaint, Butcher approached a vehicle at a gas station carrying the handle used to operate a vehicle jack and allegedly began swinging it aggressively while accusing the other man of being involved with his former partner.
The man told deputies he was able to drive away before the confrontation escalated further. He also identified two witnesses who allegedly observed the incident, including a customer and a gas station employee.
Based on the investigation, deputies sought an assault charge against Butcher.
In a separate incident, the West Virginia State Police responded to a reported assault at the Exxon station in Mossy on July 1, 2026.
According to the complaint, Butcher allegedly became upset after overhearing a conversation inside the store.
Police allege that as his sister was leaving the store, Butcher struck her twice on the back of the head with an open hand before fleeing the scene.
Troopers later interviewed the cashier, who confirmed the siblings had been arguing inside the store. While the cashier told investigators he could not definitively say Butcher struck his sister, he reported seeing Butcher attempt to physically grab her as she exited the business.
Based on the statements gathered during the investigation, state police are seeking warrants charging Butcher with domestic battery and domestic assault.
The investigations remain ongoing. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Butcher is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
