On December 1, 2022 in the office of Magistrate Lora Davis, Trooper Brian Young filed a criminal complaint against Forrest Hammer of McFarlin, West Virginia.
Trooper Young stated that on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the victim, who is a 14 year old female disclosed to the counselor at the Children’s Listing Place in Parkersburg West Virginia, on a recorded interview, that on or about March 1, 2019, (while she was 12 years of age) while at her residence located at Mount Zion, Calhoun County, WV, the accused, Forrest Hammer, did forcibly push her against a building and while holding her there in place, his hands were up her shirt and down her pants. She stated two males that were present, witnessed this event and pulled the accused off her and removed him from the property. She stated this occurred once.
Trooper Young interviewed the two adult males that were present, who confirmed they witnessed the accused holding the victim against the building the same day and removed him from the property. All acts occurred in Calhoun County.
Hammer has been charged with §61-8B-7. Sexual abuse in the first degree.
(a) A person is guilty of sexual abuse in the first degree when:
(1) Such person subjects another person to sexual contact without their consent, and the lack of consent results from forcible compulsion; or
(2) Such person subjects another person to sexual contact who is physically helpless; or
(3) Such person, being fourteen years old or more, subjects another person to sexual contact who is younger than twelve years old.
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one year nor more than five years, or fined not more than $10,000 and imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one year nor more than five years.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the penalty for any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section who is eighteen years of age or older and whose victim is younger than twelve years of age, shall be imprisonment for not less than five nor more than twenty-five years and fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.
Hammer was arrested and taken to the West Virginia Central Regional Jail on December 2, 2022 where he is currently being held on $50,000 cash only bond.
