Published: January 05, 2008 09:50 pm         

Man sentenced on obscene material charge

SUMMERSVILLE — A Nicholas County man will be spending the next four years in prison for showing pornography to a child.

David Strader, 36, of Nettie, had entered a guilty plea to one felony count of a grand jury indictment charging him with distribution or display of obscene material to a minor.

Strader was accused of having sexual contact with a 12-year-old minor in June 2005. He was also accused of displaying graphic pornography to the minor.

As part of the plea agreement, three counts of sexual assault and abuse were dismissed.

Defense attorney Ron Reese told the court Strader is educated and has a continuous work history. Reese said Strader was not in need of rehabilitation and should be placed on probation to continue working to support his family.

Strader’s parents and other family and friends submitted letters to the court also asking that Strader be placed on probation. The family denied Strader committed any type of crime. They alleged the incident had been fabricated by the victim.

Strader chose not to make a statement to the court.

Circuit Judge Gary Johnson said he was convinced Strader showed the minor the pornography.

Strader was also ordered to pay any counseling fees for the victim.

In other court action:

A Lewis County man was remanded to the Anthony Correctional Center for youthful offenders for conspiring to steal a motorcycle.

Tony Blosser, 20, of Jane Lew, pleaded guilty to a prosecutor’s information charging him with conspiracy to commit grand larceny.

Blosser was accused of conspiring with three other people in June 2007 to steal two Yamaha motorcycles from a man’s garage in Mount Nebo.

Judge Johnson suspended a one-to-10-year prison sentence and placed Blosser at the Anthony Center for a period of six months to two years.

Johnson cautioned Blosser that if he fails to complete the program at Anthony he will be ordered to complete the prison sentence.

A Craigsville man will also be spending the next six months or longer at Anthony.

Jonathan Jackson, 19, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering. As part of the plea agreement, a charge of grand larceny was dismissed.

Jackson was accused of breaking into a garage in Cottle and removing a Honda ATV valued at $6,500.

Judge Johnson suspended a one-to-10-year prison sentence for Jackson. He remanded him to Anthony for six months to two years. Johnson explained that once Jackson successfully completes the Anthony program he will be placed on probation. If Jackson fails to complete the program, he will be ordered to serve the prison sentence.