As this paper went to press on December 21,2021, the news of the arrest and charges being brought against Doddridge County’s former Sheriff and Magistrate and his assistant, Angela Lamb by the Special Magistrate Mark Gorby (Harrison County) was just reaching the citizens of Doddridge County.
A Complaint had been filed by Corporal Ryan D Anderson (WVSP) and Warrants for their arrest had been issued by Magistrate Gorby on December 20th. Both Headley and Lamb turned themselves in at Gorby’s office at the Harrison County Magistrate’s Offices.
The complaints stated that probable cause had been found for the falsifying of accounts WVC 61-3-22 on December 26, 2018 whereas Lamb was found probable cause for WVC 6-9-2c, Fraudulent or unauthorized use of a purchasing card.
Headley’s complaint states: “On November 21, 2021, the undersigned officer interviewed Michael Headley in reference to an investigation misuse of Doddridge County funds. The undersigned officer informed Mr. Headley during the course of the investigation there were documents discovered that appeared to be falsified. On December 26, 2018, a purchase of seven(7) Sig P365 pistols, one (1) Taurus Judge holster, seven (7) Sig P365 magazines and one (1) box of Remington .419 gauge ammunition were purchased from Dodd’s Sporting Goods at 103 Maple Street, Ellenboro, WV 26346. The undersigned officer obtained an original Dodd’s Sporting Goods receipt for the transaction from the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. The receipt shows the transaction was paid by check. The undersigned officer also obtained ATF form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record and ATF Form 3310.4 Report of Multiple Sale. These forms were signed by Michael Headley and included information on the Taurus Judge Revolver. The serial number to the Taurus Judge purchased was LU472428. This investigation discovered the receipt turned into the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Office records by Michael Headley was not in similar in appearance to a Dodd’d Sporting Goods receipt and only included seven (7) Sig 365 pistol. Nothing else was included on the receipt. The total purchase price was the same. The individual prices of each pistol was adjusted higher to make the total match the original receipt. The total purchase price was the same. The individual prices of each pistol was adjusted higher to make the total match the original receipt. Michael Headley provided officers with a Taurus Judge Piston with serial number LU472428. Michael Headley informed the undersigned officer he made the receipt that was turned into the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Office.”
The offense was described in Attachment 1 of the Criminal Complaint says, “ If any officer, clerk or agent of this state, or of any county, district, school district or municipal corporation thereof, or of any banking institution or incorporated company, or any clerk or agent of any firm or persons association of persons not incorporated, make, alter or omit to make any entry in any book of account of, or in any account kept by such state, county, district, school district, municipal corporation, banking institution, incorporated company, firm or person, or association of persons, or mutilate, destroy, or conceal any such account or book of accounts, with intent in doing so to conceal, the true state of any account, or to defraud the state or any county, district, school district, municipal corporation, banking institution, company, firm or person, or with the intent to enable or assist ant person to obtain money to which he was not entitled, such officer, clerk or agent shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction, shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than ten years”.
Lamb’s complaint stems from the “Miracle Christmas” program and states: “On 11/02/21, the undersigned officer interviewed Angela Lamb in reference to an ongoing investigation of improper use of the Purchasing Card for the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department. Angela Lamb was using the Purchasing Card to purchase gifts for children for a “Miracle Christmas” program at the Doddridge County Sheriffs’ Department. The West Virginia State Auditor’s Office opened an investigation and forwarded it to the undersigned officer. Purchases made in many instances appeared to be personal in nature. Angeal Lamb admitted to two purchases made from Amazon that were kept in her possession. One was a purchase made November 27, 2020 from Amazon. The purchase was for a Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS watch and a replacement band in the amount of $137.33. This purchase was sent to the Doddridge County Sheriffs Department address. Numerous other items were recovered from Angela Lamb’s residence during a search warrant”.
Although both are considered innocent until proven guilty, both cases are marked as felony cases and both are out on Bond.
Their Preliminary Hearings (where the Special Magistrate decides if there is enough evidence to move forward in the Court system or the cases dismissed) are set to be heard before Special Magistrate Mark Gorby on January 6th at 2:45 and at 3:45 in the Offices of the Harrison County Magistrate Courts.