In a complaint filed in the Magistrate Court of Calhoun County, Sr. Trooper J.D. Richards stated that on Sunday, August 9th, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., while he was conducting stationary road patrol at the intersection of Stinson Road and South Calhoun Highway in the area of Chloe, Calhoun County, he observed a gold in color GMC Jimmy pull up into the intersection from Stinson Road. He observed a male in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Trooper Richards knew this male as John Henry Mccune, who, when he checked the status of Mr. Mccune’s license shortly after observing him, it was confirmed that his license to operate a motor vehicle was revoked as of 10/03/2025 from a DUI Court conviction in Clay County. At this point, the Trooper had lost sight of the vehicle.
Trooper Richards observed the same vehicle approximately 10 minutes later also on South Calhoun Highway headed northbound. While behind the vehicle, Trooper Richards ran the West Virginia Registration plate attached to the vehicle which came back as not on file with the WV DMV. He therefore initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the address of 23405 South Calhoun Highway, making contact with the driver who this was confirmed to be John Henry Mccune.
Trooper Richards checked the vehicle’s VIN to see what registration should be attached to the vehicle, which came back to a West Virginia Registration that was not present on the vehicle. Richards also inspected the tires of the vehicle noting that both front tires, especially the front passenger side tire was bald.
Trooper Richards asked Mr. Mccune to step out of the vehicle, opening the front driver’s side door to assist, and observed a tube with the label ELECTRIC BLASTING CAP, below that the label also said HANDLE CAREFULLY – DANGER in the door cubby. Mr. McCune was placed into custody while the Trooper looked closer at the tube and could see wires inside the beige-colored tube. He notified SGT. Speece of the WVSP Explosive Response Team who came to the traffic stop on South Calhoun Highway and took the blasting cap for safe storage.
Trooper Richards then transported Mr. Mccune to the WVSP Clay Detachment to be processed and fingerprinted on the charges of Possession of an Explosive Device, Driving Revoked for DUI, Improper Registration, and Defective equipment. After being fingerprinted, this Trooper transported Mr. Mccune to WV Central Regional Jail in Flatwoods to await arraignment by a Calhoun County Magistrate where he is currently being held on a $15,000.00 bond.
John Henry McCune is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
