Man charged with sexual abuse of a minor

GRANVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) — A man has been charged after allegedly performing sexual acts on a minor in Monongalia County despite knowing the victim’s age.

On July 20, officers from the Granville Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Madden Road after receiving a call that a suspicious person was in the area, according to a criminal complaint.

When officers arrived, they made contact with the caller and Jaysiah Dawson, 21, of Morgantown. The caller told officers that Dawson had come to the apartment to meet with a 12-year-old, officers said.

Officers then spoke with the juvenile in the presence of a guardian and learned that Dawson had had contact with the child and that upon learning the victim’s age, he “continued to communicate with (the victim), which eventually resulted in (Dawson and the victim) having sexual intercourse,” according to the complaint.

Dawson was charged with third-degree sexual abuse. He is being held at the North Central Regional Jama on $50,000 bail.