Braxton County man sentenced to decades in prison for sexual abuse and assault of a minor

Braxton County, WV (WOAY)- A man charged with child sex crimes will spend decades behind bars.

On October 27, Judge Jasmine R.H. Morton sentenced Carl William James to 51 and 175 years in prison for the sexual abuse and assault of a child under the age of 12. 

The court convicted James earlier this year on six felony counts.

Charges include first-degree sexual assault and gross child neglect, creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death. 

During sentencing, prosecutors read a letter from the victim and asked the court to impose the maximum penalty.

The letter cited James’ lack of remorse and efforts to mislead the jury. 

Judge Morton agreed, noting the victim’s lasting trauma and a court-ordered evaluation diagnosing James with pedophilic disorder. 

James will serve at least 51 years before becoming eligible for parole and must register as a sex offender for life if ever released. 

His wife, Robin James, received the maximum sentence of 4 to 40 years in prison during her sentencing earlier this month for child neglect.

She will also be under extended supervision for 25 years after release and register on the child abuse registry. 

The charges follow incidents of the child reporting the abuse on three separate occasions, spanning several years.   

The case was investigated by the Braxton County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted by Braxton County Prosecutor Dwayne Vandevender.