Wellsburg man sentenced in sexual assault case

Garrett Colley, a 21-year-old from Wellsburg, was sentenced to up to two years in a juvenile detention center for third-degree sexual assault against a minor. He entered a Kennedy plea, which allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging the potential for a jury to find guilt. Colley’s attorney claimed he only confessed to police to escape questioning, despite his continued denial of any wrongdoing. The victim, now 14, viewed Colley as a trusted friend before the incident and expressed heartbreak rather than anger towards him. Brooke County Prosecutor Allison Cowden highlighted that alcohol played a role, but the victim insists Colley forced himself on her.

Judge Jason Cuomo found the decision challenging, noting the absence of direct testimony from the victim or Colley. The sentence includes five years of supervised release, which will restrict Colley’s movements, and a requirement to register with West Virginia’s Sex Offender Registry. This case underscores the complexities of sexual assault allegations, particularly involving young individuals.