Published: May 22, 2009 10:58 pm      

5 allegedly detonated explosives at Frankfort

SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Five people were arrested early Friday after allegedly setting off several explosive devices near Frankfort High School Stadium.

Nicholas Makosky, 18, of Ridgeley; Jonathan Bartlett, 19, of Keyser; Aaron Sites, 19, of Ridgeley; Kevin Day, 19, of Ridgeley; and Travis O’Donnell, 20, of Cumberland, were each charged with felony possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices. The charge carries a penalty of one to 10 years in the Division of Corrections and up to $5,000 in fines, according the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office. The men also face charges of trespassing on school property after hours.

Each man was released on $700 bond after arraignment hearings before Magistrate David C. Harman Friday morning.

According to Sheriff Craig Fraley, deputies were in the vicinity when the explosion occurred because of the threat of vandalism that has occurred at county schools in the past as school winds down for the year.

“We did not want either school damaged ...,” Fraley said. “My hope is that kids think twice before a prank turns into a serious criminal offense that could follow them the rest of their lives.”

Fraley said the five men were observed by Deputies Roger Reall and Robert Smith driving onto the campus and into the stadium area around 2:30 a.m. A short time later, several loud explosions were heard, prompting both deputies back to the campus.

The deputies detained the five men and said they admitted setting off the devices in the parking area of the stadium, according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s department. Explosive devices were also found inside a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier occupied by the suspects.