Shinnston man facing more jail time if plea is accepted
- by Matt Harvey, Assistant Managing Editor
- May 14, 2012
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CLARKSBURG — A Shinnston man already serving prison time could be looking at more of it if his plea to attempted first-degree sexual abuse is accepted.
James A. Bliss Jr., 41, entered West Virginia’s version of a no contest plea to the charge Monday before Harrison Chief Judge John Lewis Marks Jr.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to domestic battery.
Assistant Prosecutor James Armstrong presented the factual basis for the sex-related charge, saying the victim and a trooper who took a statement would testify if the matter went to trial.
The victim was 5 years old at the time of the October 2010 offense, according to a court filing.
On the domestic assault charge, Bliss said he grabbed a woman by the throat Dec. 30.
The plea deal was reached after negotiations between Chief Assistant Prosecutor Susan Morris and defense counsel Mary Dyer.
Under the agreement, the state will recommend a total term of one to three years in prison, and, if it decides to do so, can ask the court to run that term on top of the sentence Bliss already is serving.
The defendant is at St. Marys Correctional Center for nighttime burglary from Barbour County, with a parole hearing possible Dec. 1.
He had been free on that 2008 conviction at the time of his current offenses, likely either on probation, some other alternative release or parole.
If Marks hands down the maximum sentence, Bliss would face one to three more years in prison, followed by a year in jail, after he finishes the burglary term.
Whenever he completes his incarceration, Bliss will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, Armstrong said.
Bliss also could face supervised release.
Marks set another hearing July 16 to announce whether he will accept the plea and, if he does, to hand down the sentence.