Myers and Ford sentenced, Coffman, Sutton plead guilty in Hardy County Circuit Court
By Jean A. Flanagan
Special to Examiner
Dacota H. Myers, 25, of Moorefield will spend the next two to 10 years in prison for soliciting a
minor via computer. He was sentenced by 22nd Circuit Chief Judge H. Charles Carl on
Thursday, Nov. 21.
According to charging documents, on April 9, 2023, Moorefield Police officers were dispatched
to a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, a woman alleged Myers tried to assault a
minor child. At the time, Myers admitted to communicating with the 16-year-old via text message
and social media.
Myers read an extensive letter to the court, expressing remorse and taking responsibility for his
actions. He said he was in a depression, brought about by drug use and that he could have
asked for help, but didn’t. He asked the court to give him another chance.
“He is a pedophile and needs to go to prison,” retorted Hardy County Prosecutor Lucas See.
“He solicited a 16-year-old, a child to have sex with him.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Myers will have to register as a sex offender for life and will
be on extended supervision for 10 years after serving the prison term. Judge Carl denied his
attorney’s motion for probation.
“If you have a drug problem, perhaps you can take advantage of the GOALS program,” Carl
said. “If you complete that you can come back and ask for probation.”
Myers was remanded to the Division of Corrections.
GOALS is an acronym for Getting Over Addicted Lifestyles Successfully and is a residential
drug abuse treatment program within specific jails and correctional facilities in West Virginia. It is
a six to nine month program open to nonviolent criminals who are referred by the court.
Joey Ford, 42, of Fisher was sentenced to not less than one year and not more than 15 years
for burglary.
According to court documents, on Aug. 9, 2022, West Virginia State Police responded to a
burglary call. The victim accessed photos from a game camera which showed Ford entering a
home and exiting with items. On Aug. 11, 2022, Ford came to the WVSP detachment and
admitted removing items from the home.
Ford said in court that he was evicted from his home and didn’t get a chance to get his
belongings. When he went back to get them, he broke into the home and took other items as
well. Ford said he was sorry and had ruined a 35-year friendship.
Ford’s attorney, Grant Sherman, said Ford was convicted recently on drug charges in
Hampshire County and asked that the sentence in Hardy County run concurrent. Sherman said
Ford was recommended to the GOALS program by the Hampshire County court.
Prosecutor See said the state would also recommend the GOALS program and that the
sentences run concurrent. He said there needed to be a restitution hearing as there was a
dispute about the value of the items taken.
Judge Carl ordered the sentences run concurrently, gave Ford credit for 127 days time served
and waived attorney fees and court costs. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 31,
2025.
Joshua M. Coffman Jr., 29, of Petersburg, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit a
drug offense. He was originally charged with transportation of a controlled substance into the
state as well as the conspiracy charge.
The penalty for conspiracy to commit a drug offense is not less than two years and not more
than 10 years in prison.
According to charging documents, West Virginia State Police conducted a traffic stop on Feb. 2.
Coffman and another individual were passengers in a vehicle. The other individual looked to the
Trooper like she was in medical distress, but declined assistance. The Trooper engaged K-9
Bono, who indicated there were drugs in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed more than
30 Fentanyl capsules. In addition, a search of Coffman’s cell phone revealed evidence of drug
conspiracy.
In court, Coffman said he knowingly went to get drugs.
As part of the plea agreement, the state will dismiss the remaining count of the indictment and
recommends Coffman be sentenced to two years. The recommendation is not binding on the
court.
Coffman is scheduled for sentencing on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Ricky M. Sutton, 39, of Elizabeth, NJ, pleaded guilty to two counts of person prohibited from
possessing a firearm in two separate indictments. The penalty is not less than one year and not
more than five years in prison for each count. Sutton was convicted of felonies in 2010 and
2017 and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
According to charging documents, on Nov. 10, 2023, Moorefield Police received a report of a
stolen firearm. The victim identified Sutton as the person who stole the firearm and provided a
description. Sutton was located in possession of the firearm.
In a separate incident, West Virginia State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which
Sutton was a passenger and observed a strong odor of marijuana. When the Trooper asked the
driver to exit the vehicle he observed a spent shell casing on the floor. K-9 Bono was engaged
and indicated there were drugs in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed suspected
marijuana, psilocybin and a .380 Ruger handgun. The handgun was located within easy reach
of Sutton.
Sutton admitted in court to trying to hide a firearm and having access to a firearm in the vehicle.
Judge Carl ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for Monday, Jan. 6,
2025.
The following cases were continued:
- James Tompkins, of Moorefield is charged with domestic battery, third offense and domestic
assault, third offense. Tompkins is in drug treatment and waived his right to a speedy trial. His
case is rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
- Curtis M. Smith, 42, of Fisher is charged with 10 counts of failure to register as a sex offender
over three indictments. Smith waived his right to a speedy trial and his case was continued to
Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Pablo Barreto, 33, of Moorefield is charged with domestic batter, third offense. Prosecutor See
advised the parties are still in plea negotiations. The case was continued to Tuesday, Dec. 17.
- David L. Moton Jr., 40 of Baker is charged with three counts of failure to register as a sex
offender. Prosecutor See advised the parties are still in plea negotiations. The case was
continued to Tuesday, Dec. 17.
- Sentencing for Dwight Rinard, who pleaded guilty in August to failure to register as a sex
offender, was rescheduled for Jan. 31, 2025. Rinard does not have a permanent residence.
