Larry Allen Clay Jr., a former law enforcement officer from Fayette County, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for child sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. The sentence includes an additional 10 years of supervised release and an order to pay $80,000 in restitution. Clay is also required to register as a sex offender.
Clay, who served as the Chief of Police for the Gauley Bridge Police Department and was a deputy with the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, was found guilty of paying co-defendant Kristen Naylor-Legg $100 to engage in sexual acts with her 17-year-old relative on two occasions in June 2020. Both incidents involved Clay wearing his police uniform and carrying his service firearm.
The first incident occurred near Clay's police vehicle on a rural road, while the second took place inside a basement office at the former Gauley Bridge High School. DNA evidence was collected from a washcloth found at the scene.
After these events were reported by the minor victim, Clay attempted to persuade Naylor-Legg to provide false information to law enforcement and sought help from another officer to cover up his actions.
A federal jury convicted Clay on April 28, 2023, on charges including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor via coercion and obstruction of justice. "Today’s sentence reflects the incalculable harm Larry Allen Clay Jr. inflicted on his minor victim," stated United States Attorney Will Thompson.
Naylor-Legg received a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy related charges.
The case was investigated by several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the West Virginia State Police. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin delivered the sentence following successful prosecution by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Monica Dillon.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide. The public is encouraged to report suspected child sex trafficking through available hotlines or online platforms.