Published: January 02, 2009 10:37 pm      

Rosier sentenced to 20 to 75 years for sexual crimes

Incidents with young girls led to investigation of Piedmont man

KEYSER, W.Va. — Piedmont resident Michael Lynn Rosier, 43, will serve anywhere from 20 to 75 years in state prison for committing sexual crimes before being eligible for parole.

Rosier was sentenced Wednesday morning by Judge Andrew Frye in Mineral County Circuit Court on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, from 5 to 25 years each, and one count of second-degree sexual assault, from 10 to 25 years.

The terms are to be served consecutively, Mineral County Prosecutor Lynn Nelson said Wednesday.

The charges related to crimes committed against three female victims, two of whom were no more than 11 years old at the time. The third victim was between 11 and 16 years old.

The offenses occurred in November and December 2007 at Rosier’s residence, according to court documents. The investigation was conducted by Piedmont Police Chief Chris Paitsel, resulting in Rosier’s arrest in December 2007.

Rosier had entered an Alford plea to the charges in circuit court in September. An Alford plea is one in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that sufficient evidence exists that could result in a conviction.

He was remanded to custody of the sheriff Wednesday and will be housed at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail until received by the West Virginia Department of Corrections for incarceration at maximum-security Mount Olive Correctional Complex.

Keyser attorneys Nelson Michael and Meredith Haines represented Rosier in the case.