FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County woman was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Blake Jr. on Wednesday for charges stemming from an attempted copper theft at the Montgomery WVU Tech football field.
According to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Brittany A. McBrayer – 34 years old formerly of Montgomery, WV – was sentenced in Fayette County Circuit Court in relation to her conviction for felony crimes involving conspiracy and destruction of property, along with the misdemeanor crime of trespassing.
It was during a two-day trail which concluded on April 4, 2023, that the guilty verdict was issued.
McBrayer’s sentence entails 1 to 5 years in prison for conspiracy, 1 to 10 years in prison for destruction of property, and a $100 fine for misdemeanor trespassing. These sentences were ordered to be served consecutively, and McBrayer must serve two years in prison before potentially becoming eligible for parole.
Judge Blake noted the substantial damage caused by the defendant, and “that her actions were senseless and detrimental to the community.”
The incident in question occurred on August 31, 2022, when a WVU Tech employee observed a woman wearing only a shirt and panties being carried on the back of a man near the field. The man stated that the woman had been stung by yellow jackets and would require medical attention.
The employee would come to find that there had been an attempt made to steal the cooper wiring from the lights and lighting system of the football field, and that significant damage had been caused through this attempt.
A pair of bolt cutters were also discovered still attached to partially cut wiring near a yellow jacket’s nest. A pair of jeans, pair of socks, and pair of shoes had been left behind as well, along with a backpack which was found to contain a pair of bolt cutters and other tools. A cell phone determined to have belonged to McBrayer was additionally discovered at the scene. F
The case was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Amy McLaughlin.
