McDowell County man sentenced in long-running child sexual abuse case

A Premier man who abused a position of trust over several years was ordered to serve a long concurrent prison term in McDowell County Circuit Court, closing a case that reached back to 2020 and moved through trial last fall.

John Fields, 69, was sentenced on April 20 by Circuit Judge Rudolph J. Murensky after a jury found him guilty on October 29, 2025. The convictions included four counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust, four counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, sexual assault in the third degree and indecent exposure.

Murensky imposed 10 to 20 years for each abuse-by-trust count, 1 to 5 years for each first-degree sexual abuse count, 1 to 5 years for the third-degree sexual assault count and 90 days in regional jail for indecent exposure. All of the sentences will run concurrently, and Fields received credit for one day already served.

The sentence also carries consequences that extend far beyond prison. Fields must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and will remain under extended supervision for 20 years after his prison term ends. In West Virginia, certain sex offenses trigger long post-release monitoring, a reminder that the court system does not treat these cases as resolved once a defendant leaves custody.

The McDowell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, headed by Brittany Puckett and assisted by Keith Flinchum and Anthony Foltz, carried the case through prosecution after the investigation uncovered conduct that dated back to at least 2020. The outcome gives the county a clear example of how local authorities can move from investigation to jury verdict to sentencing when abuse allegations are sustained in court.

For families in McDowell County who need to report suspected child abuse, the West Virginia child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-800-352-6513 and operates 24 hours a day. If a child is in imminent danger, the state says to call immediately and choose option 2, or call 911 in an emergency. McDowell County DoHS is at 840 Virginia Ave. in Welch and can be reached at 304-436-8302. Survivors of sexual violence or domestic violence can also contact SAFE in Welch at 304-436-8117 or its 24-hour hotline at 800-688-6157.