Preston County, West Virginia, man waives probable cause hearing on Harrison soliciting minor via computer charge

Shrout continued communicating on social media with a female even after she stated she was 15 years old, Bridgeport Detective Rebecca Morrison alleged.

On Aug. 18, Shrout communicated about “getting a hotel room to meet up,” Morrison alleged. Then on Aug. 23, Shrout used social media to discuss meeting the female that weekend, Morrison alleged. During that communication, Shrout made sexual remarks, the complaint alleges.

Shrout remained jailed Monday.

Also:

— A 32-year-old Bridgeport woman accused of driving under the influence with three juveniles in her vehicle has waived her probable cause hearing.

The waiver by Samantha Leigh Jones on the felony child neglect charge moves the case over to Harrison County Circuit Court and will give Dishong, of the Office of Harrison Defender Susan Morris, an early look at the state’s case.

Jones’ blood-alcohol content on a secondary chemical test was 0.195 after she was alleged to have shown impairment on three field sobriety tests. Jones eventually acknowledged drinking about 12 beers prior to driving with the juveniles in her vehicle, Bridgeport Sgt. James Holley alleged.

Officer Austin Ash assisted.

Jones remained jailed Monday.

— A 33-year-old New York man entered into a two-year deferred adjudication Monday in a case in which Bridgeport Police seized about 10 pounds of marijuana from his vehicle last Dec. 1.

Marcus Tarel Ming of Niagara Falls entered a plea to felony possession with intent to deliver marijuana, which carries a potential prison term of 1-5 years and/or a fine of up to $15,000.

Harrison Chief Judge Christopher J. McCarthy held off accepting the plea pending the results of the deferred adjudication, which requires Ming to follow the same rules as a probationer. Ming’s deferred adjudication either will be supervised by authorities in New York, or Ming will be making the 5 1/2-hour drive to Clarksburg several times per year to report to Harrison Probation Officer Matthew Loar.

If Ming successfully completes the deferred adjudication, McCarthy would reject acceptance of the felony and Ming would enter a plea to a misdemeanor. Harrison Assistant Prosecutor James Armstrong, of the office of Prosecutor Rachel Romano, and Harrison Defender Morris would join in recommending a fine.

If Ming is unsuccessful, McCarthy could accept the plea and sentence Ming on the felony, with Morris and Armstrong making recommendations.

Bridgeport Patrol Officer Isaac Thomas III pulled over the vehicle operated by Ming Dec. 1 on Interstate 79 southbound about a mile from the U.S. 50 interchange.

Bridgeport Pfc. Scott Toothman deployed police dog Max, who alerted. The ensuing search turned up 10.38 pounds of marijuana in a blue bag in the trunk, Thomas alleged. Bridgeport Police also seized $407 in cash, which Ming forfeited.

Ming told the court he was en route to a funeral and was planning to share the marijuana with family. Morris said part of the $407 was for traveling expenses to the North Carolina funeral, but that her client agreed to the forfeiture.