On Monday, April 15th, 2024 at approximately 1 a.m., Trooper J.D. Richards was at the WVSP Grantsville Detachment when Aaron Bret Harrison, DOB: 04/13/1977, came into the office and notified the Trooper that he needed to do his last change of address before moving to North Carolina.
Trooper Richards removed Mr. Harrison’s file from the Sex Offender files and inquired if there were any other changes with his registry and started document the move by listing information of which included physical and mailing address; which he was coming in to change for the last time before moving, a Chevy Cobalt that was reported as his brother’s vehicle that he would drive on a occasion which was also being taken of of his registry with the move. The Trooper inquired about Mr. Harrison’s US Cellular Phone listed under his Internet service provider and cellphone for both mailing and physical addresses. This number was 336-673-9296.
Mr. Harrison uttered, in reply, that this number and account had not been in-service since February. The Trooper knew that as part of Mr. Harrison’s registry that he needed to report any and all changes to his registry within (10) Business days per state law and WVSP Form 270 which is given to and, if needed, read to offenders each and every time they register at the WVSP Detachment. This includes taking a phone number off the registry once it is disconnected.
Trooper Richards attempted to call the above listed number to which it was confirmed that its service had been disconnected. Mr. Harrison stated in a mirandized interview that Kanesha Harrison was the individual that paid for his bill. He Informed the Trooper that he knew he received the phone in December of 2023, a payment was made in January of 2024 and Kanesha had attempted to make a payment in February of 2024 but it did not go through, thus his service was disconnected. Trooper Richards spoke with Kanesha as well and confirmed this.
Mr. Harrison was taken into custody on the Charge of Failure to provide notice of Sex Offender Registration changes and processed him at the WVSP Grantsville Detachment. Harrison was released after posting a $15,000 property/surety bond. He is currently awaiting trial in the Calhoun Circuit Court.
§15-12-8. Failure to register or provide notice of registration changes; penalty
(c) Any person required to register for life pursuant to this article who knowingly provides materially false information or who refuses to provide accurate information when so required by the terms of this article, or who knowingly fails to register or knowingly fails to provide a change in any required information as required by this article, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than five years. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense under this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than ten nor more than twenty-five years.
Mr. Harrison is innocent until proven guilty.
