The Wood County Grand Jury returned indictments against 56 individuals on Wednesday, spanning a variety of serious charges from sexual assault to drug offenses, theft, and more. The list includes people from Parkersburg and surrounding areas, with cases dating back several years.
Among those indicted is Jesse Aaron Stephens, a 44-year-old Parkersburg resident, who faces the most severe accusations. Stephens has been charged with 11 counts of first-degree sexual assault, 15 counts of sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, and four counts of second-degree sexual assault.
These charges relate to incidents occurring between 2014 and 2024, totaling 30 counts of sexual assault and abuse. Stephens was arrested earlier this year in February and is currently out on bond, according to Prosecutor Pat Lefebure.
The grand jury’s list also includes numerous other individuals facing various criminal charges:
- Donald Paul Anderson, 38, faces three counts of distributing obscene material to a minor from April 2022 to 2023.
- Sonya Jeanette Bailey, 54, was indicted for embezzlement and grand larceny related to theft occurring between December 2023 and January 2024.
- Thomas Mark Baker, 42, and his co-defendant Jesse Lee Legg, 28, are charged with multiple drug offenses including delivery and possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and transportation of controlled substances in October and November.
- Michael Stephen Baugh, 59, is charged with third-offense shoplifting from earlier this year.
- Jason Benard, 51, faces drug delivery charges linked to deaths and controlled substance delivery from May 2024 and May 2025.
Other indictments include charges of child abuse, domestic battery, strangulation, drug possession, burglary, escape from custody, and various other felonies.
Several individuals are in custody at the North Central Regional Jail, including Corey Joseph Brock facing grand larceny and escape charges, Jill Kristen Bolden charged with child abuse and domestic battery, and John Ray Chidrey indicted for possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing a police officer.
Charges also involve serious offenses like child neglect causing bodily injury, attempted malicious assault, extortion, computer fraud, and multiple counts of domestic battery.
Notably, some co-defendants are indicted together for drug-related offenses and conspiracy, such as Candace Mae Gibson and Rick Shawn Willis, charged with drug delivery resulting in death and conspiracy charges from 2022.
The range of offenses reflects ongoing law enforcement efforts to address criminal activity within Wood County. From minor thefts to major drug operations and serious violent crimes, the indictments highlight the variety and scope of cases the justice system is currently handling.
Prosecutors continue to work through these cases to prepare for upcoming trials, with many defendants already held in custody while others remain out on bond pending court proceedings.
This recent grand jury session shows the ongoing commitment of Wood County authorities to pursue justice for victims and hold offenders accountable under the law.
