MARONEY

MOUNDSVILLE — A jury trial for former State Sen. Dr. Michael Maroney for the charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct from August 2024 has been set to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, in Marshall County Magistrate Court.

Marshall County Magistrate Zachary Allman will preside over the trial. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at 9 a.m.

Maroney’s charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct stem from an Aug. 4, 2024, incident where he was allegedly seen committing an act of sexual gratification on closed-circuit cameras at the Gumby’s in Glen Dale.

Maroney also faces a driving under the influence charge from a Sept. 23, 2024, incident where Mechen Police officers pulled over Maroney after he allegedly committed “numerous traffic infractions,” according to a news release from McMechen Police Chief Robert Shilling. After the roadside investigation, Shilling arrested Maroney on suspicion of driving under the influence. The trial date for the DUI charge has been set for Wednesday, April 30 at 9 a.m. in Marshall County Magistrate Court.

On Wednesday an evidence suppression and bond revocation hearing was held for Maroney’s indecent exposure/disorderly conduct and DUI charges, respectively. During the hearing, Allman denied the plea agreement made by the state and the defense for Maroney’s charges.

The terms of the plea agreement included Maroney pleading guilty to the disorderly conduct charge and the state dismissing the indecent exposure charge. In lieu of the state dismissing the DUI charge, Maroney pleaded guilty to driving without car insurance and having an expired registration.

During the evidence suppression hearing, Allman said he considered “several factors” in criminal cases, including “underlying facts, interest of the victim, interest of the general public and the conduct of the defendant throughout the process.” He denied the plea agreement, stating, “Everyone in this court is treated equally.”

Allman ruled that the video footage tape of Maroney allegedly committing an act of sexual gratification at Gumby’s could be used during the July trial at the evidence suppression hearing. Police Chief Ed Vogler was called as a witness, as he was the officer dispatched to Gumby’s on Aug. 4, 2024, and filed the subpoena to obtain the closed-circuit camera footage of Maroney at the gaming establishment.

Allman also revoked Maroney’s bond during the hearing. Part of Maroney’s bond conditions for the DUI charge was to enter and undergo a drug treatment program, either inpatient or outpatient.

Allman reset Maroney’s bail to $1,500 “cash only” and said he would remain in the Division of Corrections until he paid the bond “personally.” Allman said Maroney would have five days from when the bail is posted to enter a drug treatment program in an inpatient or outpatient facility and provide the court proof of this.