FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A former Pax resident was sentenced on Tuesday in Fayette County Circuit Court for First-Degree Sexual Abuse of a juvenile member of a family who had been allowing him to reside in their home for a time.
According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr., on May 30, 2023, Charles A. Haggerty – 46 years old, formerly of Pax, WV – received a sentence in relation to convictions for two counts of First-Degree Sexual Abuse, a felony offense.
The defendant pled guilty to these offenses on January 5, 2023, during a two-day jury trial. Haggerty was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Thomas H. Ewing to 1 to 5 years in prison for each count, and each sentence has been ordered to be served consecutively. Haggerty must serve a minimum of 2 years in prison before potentially becoming eligible for parole.
A member of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau was informed by a mother that her son had reported being sexually molested by Haggerty. This prompted the department to open an investigation into the situation.
Haggerty had reportedly befriended the family and was residing with them throughout the summer of 2018. During this time, he is said to have reported the juvenile on numerous occasions. Prosecution in the case was delayed when the defendant was extradited to the State of Alabama as a result of similar charges.
An additional victim from an unrelated case has also come forward regarding sexual crimes committed by the defendant. Additional charges are expected to be filed in the future.
The case was investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau and prosecuted by Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr. Victim support services were provided by the Just for Kids Advocacy Center.