Former Brooke High School Principal Waives Preliminary Hearing

WELLSBURG - The case against the former Brooke High School principal accused of hiding cameras in the school’s girls’ locker rooms will be heading to circuit court.

Eric Michael James, 53, through his defense counsel, DeMarr W. Moulton, waived his preliminary hearing Monday morning, while appearing in Brooke County Magistrate Court before visiting Hancock County Magistrate Matt Harvey.

Harvey also modified James’ bond conditions, keeping the total at the previously established $200,000 but adjusting it to be a cash/professional surety, instead of cash-only, which would allow James to be released from the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail if he posts 10 percent - or $20,000 - through a bond service.

In the event he is released, Harvey ordered James must remain on home confinement, at a location approved by the court, and be on GPS monitoring. He also will not be permitted any contact with children, nor will he be permitted to be on or near any Brooke County Schools property or attend any event where Brooke County Schools is participating.

James is facing four felony charges in relation to the allegations, including three counts of "intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral or electronic communication," and one count of "breaking and entering a non-residence," according to online magistrate records.

In arguing for a bond adjustment, Moulton pointed to James’ career and involvement in the community.

"Mr. James is not a flight risk or a danger to the community," Moulton said, pointing to his prior standing as an educator. "He has no criminal history, as far as I know."

He also stated the level of bond, and its previous status as cash-only, was "disproportionate" when compared to other cases in Brooke County this year, noting even cases involving violence have been allowed surety bonds and at lower dollar amounts.

Moulton had filed for the bond to be adjusted to a $25,000 surety, which would have needed $2,500 posted.

County Prosecutor Allison Cowden called the argument "laughable," standing against any modification.

"He used his very role as a principal and educator to put approximately 650 Brooke County children in harm’s way," Cowden said. "That’s not acceptable."

Cowden also noted the investigation into James’ alleged actions is continuing, raising the possibility of additional charges being filed at a later date, while pointing to his residency in Marshall County and having concerns of him having access to electronics or social media.

As part of the terms, the question was raised as to whether James’ home confinement would be at his "marital home," with Moulton conceding while he had spoken to James’ wife, there had not been any agreement, as of Monday morning, as to whether he would be permitted to stay at the residence.

Moulton also asked if the requirement that James have no contact with children would apply to his three grandchildren - ages 3, 5, and 7 - with Harvey saying it would.

"We’ll leave it as no access to children, period," Harvey said.

As a result of waiving the preliminary hearing, the case now goes to Brooke County Circuit Court, where James’ case could be part of the grand jury on Nov. 2. The other option would be for the case to "proceed by way of information," according to Cowden, where, essentially, the grand jury step would be waived and the case would go straight to trial.

James, who was hired as Brooke High's principal in 2023, was arrested and charged Sept. 3 after an initial investigation uncovered four camera devices in three girls' locker room areas of the school, identified by Brooke County Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Crook as the girls' physical education locker room, the girls' varsity locker room and a locker room used by the school's dance team.

James was suspended from his position the same day, with the Brooke County Board of Education voting Monday night to terminate his employment.

A search warrant was initiated at both the school and James' home in Marshall County, with various electronic equipment recovered and sent to Morgantown for review.

The Brooke County Sheriff's Department and West Virginia State Police also conducted scans for potential hidden electronics at all other Brooke County Schools facilities.