ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack announced that a collaborative investigation between law enforcement agencies in Ohio and West Virginia resulted in the arrest of a Moundsville, West Virginia man in connection with the alleged rape of a child under thirteen years of age.
On Monday, July 21, Carson Cawthon, 19, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was arrested and booked into the Belmont County Jail on the aforementioned charge.
The investigation was initiated by the Martins Ferry Police Department. Upon discovering that some of the alleged criminal activity may have occurred outside of city limits, their department promptly contacted the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. The two agencies then commenced a joint investigation into the allegations.
On Friday, July 18, the investigation expanded to include the Moundsville Police Department in West Virginia. Officials say the assistance of the Moundsville Police was instrumental in obtaining and executing a search warrant at Cawthon’s residence.
This is an active and ongoing investigation with the potential for additional charges to be filed.
Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 695-7933 or the Martins Ferry Police Department at (740) 633-2121.
