Feds indict Lewis and Gilmer County Magistrates on wire fraud, other charges

CLARKSBURG — Lewis County Magistrate Roger D. Clem Jr. and Gilmer County Magistrate Alton L. Skinner II were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges involving wire fraud, mail fraud and obstruction, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Bill Powell.

Clem, 47, of Weston, and Skinner, 57, of Sand Fork, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Skinner was also charged with one count of false statement to a federal agent.

The charges involve E-Z Out LLC, based in Sand Fork, which is an authorized bonding company in Lewis County. According to company records, E-Z Out is operated solely by Alton Skinner’s spouse and employs Skinner’s son as an authorized bonding agent, Powell’s office stated.

Clem is accused of taking favorable actions in court for E-Z Out, including setting unnecessary surety bonds. He also is accused of calling Skinner to arrange the bond of a detainee without presenting a list of authorized bonding companies to the detainee.

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