Ex-police chief sentenced for paying $100 to rape teen

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Former Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, police chief Larry Clay Jr. (Carter County Detention Center)

A former West Virginia police chief who was convicted of sex-trafficking a teenage girl was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison this week after having his sentencing hearing delayed 12 times.

According to The Washington Post, Larry Clay Jr., the former chief of the Gauley Bridge Police Department, persuaded a 17-year-old’s stepmother to sell her to the chief for $100 in 2020. The teen, who is 22 now, testified that he raped her twice, both times while he was on duty. DNA evidence found inside a police office corroborated her story, police said.

Clay was convicted by a jury on federal sex trafficking and obstruction of justice charges in 2023. Prosecutors said Clay told the victim’s stepmother to lie to investigators and tried to persuade a Fayette County Sheriff’s Department detective and longtime friend to make the case "go away," The Post reports.

The victim’s stepmother testified against Clay and was sentenced in August 2023 to nine years in prison. Clay’s sentencing was also scheduled for the same time period in 2023, but he was able to delay his sentencing a dozen times.

At the sentencing hearing this week, the victim gave a statement to the court.

"You were supposed to help keep people safe," the victim told Clay at the hearing. "You used your badge and took advantage of your power and took whatever you wanted."

"Because of you, I’m still looking over my shoulder to make sure I’m not being watched, and watching what I wear because I still feel like sweatpants and a hoodie is too revealing," she continued. "I might never be the same again, but you won’t ever make anyone else a victim of your games. I’ll never forget what you did, and I’m not forgiving you for what you did. I’m forgiving you so I can heal."

Crime and Public Safety West Virginia