MINGO COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A southern West Virginia man has been arrested after picking up a student from a bus stop to sexually abuse them.
According to West Virginia State Police, on Tuesday, January 27, Senior Trooper Z. K. Bragg of the Williamson Detachment received a complaint of an alleged sexual abuse which occurred on January 8, 2026, in the Elk Creek area of Mingo County.
Senior Trooper Bragg spoke with the parents of a juvenile victim who stated that they had previously given Aaron Stepp, 37, of Delbarton, permission to pick up the juvenile from the bus stop when they were unable to do so. Â
The parents further stated that on January 8, Stepp picked up the juvenile from the bus stop without their knowledge and took the victim to his residence where he allegedly sexually abused the juvenile.
After a thorough investigation Senior Trooper Bragg was able to obtain an arrest warrant on Stepp for Sexual Abuse by a parent, custodian, or person of trust. Troopers then began trying to locate Stepp.
On March 2, Senior Trooper Bragg apprehended Stepp in the Elk Creek area of Mingo County. Troopers then transported Stepp to Southwestern Regional Jail. Stepp was later arraigned, and bond was set at $50,000.
