PRE-TRIAL HEARING SET FOR DEPUTY BANDY

(09/04/2007)
Former Calhoun Chief Deputy Ronald Bandy is scheduled to appear this morning before Judge Thomas Evans III for a pre-trial hearing.

Bandy was indicted on eight counts by a Calhoun grand jury following an investigation by the WV State Police: one count of grand larceny, three counts of burglary, three counts of conspiracy, all felonies, and one misdemeanor count for destruction of property.

The case is related to the alleged taking of property belonging to an elderly Big Springs couple who were unable to take care of themselves, having been placed in Department of Human Services custody.

Special prosecutor Jerry Hough moved to drop multiple felony charges against Grantsville DHHR worker April McCroskey, related to the same incident.

McCroskey was dating Bandy at the time of the alleged crime.

McCroskey was found guilty of trespassing, which has a $100 fine and court costs.

Bandy resigned from the Sheriff's Department in June, 2006, after prosecutor Matt Minney filed charges against the officer for contempt of court after he failed to appear at hearings.

Since that time the issues related to the property of the elderly couple surfaced.

Bandy is represented by attorney John Teare.

Hough is also the special prosecutor in the Bandy case.