Former W.Va. chief of police found guilty of paying to have sex with minor while in uniform

FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (TCD) -- A federal jury convicted a former police chief last week of child sex trafficking and obstruction crimes while he was in uniform.

In a press conference, U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said that on two separate occasions in June 2020, Larry Allen Clay Jr., a former Fayette County Sheriff’s deputy and Gauley Bridge chief of police, paid Kristen Naylor-Legg $50 to have sex with her 17-year-old stepdaughter.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the first sexual encounter took place in Clay’s police-issued car on a rural Fayette County road. The second incident reportedly occurred inside the old Gauley Bridge High School, which is not accessible to many people, including the police department. Officials obtained DNA evidence from discarded paper towels in the high school, which matched Clay’s, Thompson said.

The Attorney’s Office said Clay "sought to persuade Naylor-Legg to lie to law enforcement about the incidents and also asked a law enforcement officer if his criminal conduct could be covered up."

After a four-day trial, a federal jury convicted Clay of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor and via coercion, sex trafficking of a minor and via coercion, and two counts of obstruction of justice.

Clay faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison and will be sentenced on July 20. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to the Attorney’s Office, the co-defendant, Naylor-Legg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 18 in September 2021. Naylor-Legg’s sentencing is scheduled for May 11, and she faces up to life in prison. She’ll also have to register as a sex offender.

In a statement, Thompson said, "This defendant was a uniformed police officer, a chief of police, and the young victim had the courage and toughness to come forward and tell the jury about these horrific crimes. She is incredibly brave."

Thompson also read a quote from the victim, "Always speak up. Someone will hear you eventually."

MORE:

• Federal Jury Convicts Former Fayette County Law Enforcement Officer of Child Sex Trafficking and Obstruction Crimes — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia
• U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson Announces Outcome of the Trial of Larry Allen Clay, Jr. — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia
• Fayette County Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Trafficking Charge, 9/15/2021 — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia