CLARKSBURG -- A former Laurel Valley man was convicted in Harrison County Circuit Court Tuesday of five felony counts of sexually abusing and assaulting two teen-age girls in 1998 and 1999.
Frederick Moore, 39, is being held in the North Central Regional Jail pending his transfer to the Anthony Center for a 60-day diagnostic evaluation, according to assistant prosecutor Scott Reynolds.
He was convicted of one count of second degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, according to Reynolds.
The girls are the daughters of Moore's former live-in common-law wife, Reynolds said. The woman had three children from a previous relationship and the couple had four children together, Reynolds said.
Moore and the seven children moved to the Laurel Valley area late in 1998 after his wife died from HIV-related causes, Reynolds said. Moore also is HIV positive, he said.
Moore was extradited to Florida in March 1999 to face other non-related charges.
When the children were taken into the custody of the state Department of Health and Human Resources, the two oldest girls began talking about the sexual abuse, he said.
The oldest daughter also told officials that Moore had intercourse with her once.
"Basically, he told her she had to take her mother's place," Reynolds said. "Thank God Florida extradited him or this might still be going on. He had threatened the girls with bodily harm if they told anyone, so they didn't say anything until they were with the DHHR."
The girls were 15 and 14 years old at the time.
Moore is facing sentences of 10-25 years in prison and/or a fine of $1,000-$10,000 for the second-degree sexual assault, 1-5 years in prison for each of the first-degree sexual abuse counts and 10-20 years in prison for the sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian counts.
Harrison County Circuit Judge James Matish did not set a sentencing date Wednesday, but set a hearing for 3 p.m. Sept. 5 to argue post-trial motions.
Staff writer Jim Fisher can be reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at jfisher@exponent-telegram.com
