Vaughn Stricklin, 69, of Triadelphia pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony sexual assault in the third degree for sexual abuse of a minor from 2011-12.

Ohio County Circuit Judge Michael Olejasz sentenced Stricklin to serve no less than one to no more than five years at the West Virginia Department of Corrections for the charge. According to Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Turak, the victim of the crime for which Stricklin is now convicted was under the age of 16 when the sexual abuse occurred. She is now an adult.

The allegations were not brought to law enforcement until August 2024 when a second victim, an 8-year-old child, reported sexual abuse by Stricklin while on an extended family vacation in another state. As the West Virginia State Police investigation continued, it was determined that Stricklin had sexually abused the first victim in Ohio County in 2011-12.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Stricklin did not contest the single charge of sexual assault in the third degree and further acknowledged the record of evidence

supported a jury’s finding of guilt.

“In addition to the prison sentence, upon release, Mr. Stricklin will register as a lifetime sex offender and be placed on a term of supervised release which will likely continue through the end of his natural life,” Turak said. “This will assure the ongoing protection of our community, particularly our children. The state was able to reach this conclusion with the full consent, cooperation and blessing of the victim, who was seated in the courtroom when Mr.

Stricklin was convicted and sentenced.”