The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

October 11, 2012

One of five defendants in arson case pleads not guilty

By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter

LEWISBURG — One of the defendants in an arson case connected to a Dec. 15 fire at the Rainelle detachment of the West Virginia State Police entered a plea of not guilty in Greenbrier County Circuit Court this week.

Ray L. Goff, 29, of Meadow Bridge appeared in court Thursday morning for arraignment before Chief Circuit Judge Joseph C. Pomponio Jr., who set bond for the defendant at $2,500.

Goff was indicted by a Greenbrier County Grand Jury called into special session Sept. 20. He is charged with one count of arson in the second degree, one count of conspiracy to commit arson in the second degree, seven counts of arson in the third degree, nine counts of intimidation of and retaliation against public officers and employees, one count of conspiracy to commit arson in the third degree and one count of conspiracy to commit intimidation of and retaliation against public officers and employees.

Goff and four other people stand accused of a variety of crimes in connection to the Dec. 15 fire that destroyed five vehicles, two of which belonged to the State Police. The other three vehicles were being held at the State Police detachment as evidence in ongoing state and federal investigations into a multi-state car theft and chop-shop operation.

Three other seized vehicles were also damaged by the fire, as was the garage door on the nearby State Police building.

The others charged for participating in the alleged arson conspiracy are David Slayton White, 48, of Meadow Bridge; Nicholas Michael White, 23, of Danese; Joshua Emmanuel Redden, 26, of Meadow Bridge; and Jennifer Lynn White, 32, of Meadow Bridge.

Pomponio set a trial date for Goff on Jan. 17, with a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 8 at 9 a.m. Motions in the case will be heard Dec. 18.

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com

 

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