Published: January 23, 2008 11:53 am      

Suspect will soon face juries in both Mineral and Grant counties

KEYSER - A Keyser man charged last year with 136 counts related to sexually based crimes against children will face juries soon in both Mineral and Grant counties.

Wilton Frederick Bland, 30, of Bayberry Place was arrested March 23 at his grandparents' residence in Petersburg.

According to Mineral County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Nelson, Bland is scheduled to go to trial March 1, while Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Dennis DiBenedetto said his trial in Petersburg is set for April 14.

Bland remains incarcerated in the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta.

Bland, who unsuccessfully ran as a Republican candidate for Mineral County Commission in 2006, was charged with 73 counts of possession of child pornography; 45 counts of sexual assault in the first de-gree for allegedly having sex with a child under age 11; nine counts of use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor; seven counts of display of obscene matter to a minor; and two counts of employing a minor to do sexually explicit conduct, according to the West Virginia State Police.

Investigating officers Sgt. J.M. Droppleman and Cpl. H.C. Myers of the Keyser detachment and Senior Trooper M. Durrah of the Moorefield/Petersburg de-tachment said the alleged incidents occurred over a period of four years.

The investigation began after police received a complaint concerning a juvenile boy who said Bland wanted him to appear nude on the Internet.

After searching Bland's residence at Bayberry Apartments, police confiscated a computer hard drive, floppy discs and other items.

Officials said a review of the floppy discs revealed pornographic images of minors.

At the time, police said the investigation revealed there were four juvenile victims, but it was possible there were others.

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.