WAYNE, WVA, — A Wayne County couple, Larry Cricks, 43, and Bertha Cricks, 33, both of Wayne were arrested in Kenova WV. The couple faced 44 sexually related combined charges after allegedly engaging in sexual relations with their minor children over a 22 month span in starting in 2013.
Each pled guilty to one count of sexual abuse in the third degree.
Judge Darrell Pratt sentenced both with credit for time served which was approximately 2 months for Bertha Cricks and more than 3 months for Larry Cricks.
The two are also required to register as sexual offenders for life.
According to Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Plymale, officials consulted the victims throughout the trial process.
“During the negotiations we consulted with the older victims in order to gauge how (the kids) felt about things and to lessen the trauma for them.” Plymale said “It’s pretty traumatic to go through trials like this.”
The Cricks’ charges stem from a West Virginia State Police Investigation into sexual contact with minors both under 14.
Mean while the children receive a life sentence for what’s been done to them ! Disgusting !
OMG 3 Months is nothing for what they did to those kids!!! When those kids grow up I guarantee you they’ll be asking why the judge only gave those devils 3 months. Those kids have a lifetime sentence!!! That judge is a sorry excuse of a human being…no better that those parents!!!
Time served for child molestation. Is that judge stupid or what. They’re going to do it again. Why even bother to arrest them. Messing up kids minds for a lifetime. Free to continue molesting. Something is wrong with these judges that give light sentences to sexual predators. I say execute them!
He wouldnt get my vote come election time. How about 3 years or 30 get them off the streets. I hope children are not going back to the home.
That what happens when you have people that knows people in office. And know how to get votes where they need them. Both Wayne and Mingo county is that way. Always has been. I hate both county’s.
I feel this is a very serious crime and anyone who sexually assaults and or abuses any child underage should get more time in jail and or fined. Also implementing harsher punishments to deter these crimes. If the criminal minded person or persons knew this it would make them think more before acting upon these types of sexual abuse of any kind.
I’ll certainly remember this on election day…..
We hear the “Me Too” cries of women who have been abused or assaulted loud and clear. Why aren’t the courts hearing the cries of the children. Could it be because they’re not old enough to vote? If these children were my relatives I’d have a mob of protestors camping on those courthouse steps!!
The news ain’t always right people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones the papers aint always right if you judge you shall be judged by god on your judgement day the ones without sin cast the first stone the stories aint always right
Your right gods soilder some news stories on over given false aligations on people i this case was aligations and hearsay only and jamie the ones that get lesser time are the ones that are innioncent and the system knows that
This couple was set up by Cps and a crooked judicial system who knew that they in fact were innocent. It’s a shame that these people had to suffer and were convicted on hearsay only?? Signed, a former employee for the Wayne County Courthouse. This was truly a sad and pathetic set up against these poor folks!!
Thank you And God bless you for coming foward about the setup against me and my husband about us being innocent and convicted on Hearsay only I am proud of you coming foward thanks again and God bless you 🙏 and may God bless you 🙏 🙏 I want to Give you a Special thanks you are one of God’s angel 🙏🙏🙏
The honest truth is we were set up by the Maynard family,yes Miranda and Clifford Maynard along with Cps etc. Although she’s currently known now as Miranda Blankenship since her divorce from Clifford Maynard? This family legally kidnapped our kids after that things went completely out of control?
But rest assured we are still fighting and we will get justice!!
Why wasn’t it on the news where our case was dismissed in front of judge Pratt and all charges were dropped? I’ll tell you why they wanted to do things corruptly.Righr outside the courthouse on the very day our case was dismissed my wife’s uncle was td by a sheriff that we were going to pay for the case being dismissed? You see they didn’t want to lose no matter what they had to do? Well you don’t prosecute innocent people!!
Do any of you people have a clue how humiliating it is to be charged with a crime that you did not nor would ever have committed? And then be convicted with a misdemeanor third degree sex abuse? Is this what our state has reduced itself to? Setting up,then destroying innocent lives? Assassinating someone’s character! Take a walk in my shoes and my wife’s shoes and then you tell us if you yourselves could endure this false narrative of complete and utter nonsense?
These poor people were set up, I know I overheard folks talking about them? This is so sad.
These parents are innocent it is a shame how they got set up by Cps and the Wayne County Courthouse. And the nerve of that woman that I encountered at Wal-Mart bragging about how she helped?
Somebody needs to help these poor innocent parents who were convicted on hearsay only? The woman who has their children use to go to our church. She told several of the members she set up this couple and stole their kids.
Shame on all of you Wayne County Courthouse Officials! You knew that this couple was innocent and still prosecuted them? How can any of you sleep at night? Knowing that your responsible for what has happened to them?
I am heartbroken! These are the sweetest folks I have ever met? Just look at what you did to them Wayne County WV!! Signed a former courthouse worker
I followed their case from our field office in Charleston West Virginia and I can assure you all that this was nothing but vindictive corruption after having read the files in this particular case.This was a miscarriage of justice