WELLSBURG, W.Va. — A Brooke County man has been sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual abuse by a custodian involving a 9-year-old child.
According to the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, William R. Hilty, 59, was sentenced on July 13 by Brooke County Circuit Judge Jason A. Cuomo. Hilty entered guilty pleas to the two felony charges on April 20, 2026.
The court ordered two prison terms of 10 to 20 years to be served consecutively, resulting in a total sentence of 20 to 40 years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections.
In addition to his prison sentence, Hilty must register as a lifetime sex offender and will be subject to 50 years of extended supervision following his release.
The investigation began in April 2024 after the Brooke County Sheriff’s Office received a report involving the alleged sexual abuse of a 9-year-old child. The child was later interviewed at The Comfort House Child Advocacy Center, where investigators said multiple disclosures were made.
According to prosecutors, Hilty later admitted to a Brooke County Sheriff’s deputy that he had inappropriately touched the child while the child was in his care.
The case was prosecuted by the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
