William R. Ward, of Fayetteville had been indicted last year in Fayette County Court on six counts related to the molestation of a young child. When the case went to trial, he was living in the Julian area. Ward’s case went before a jury earlier this month, and near the end of the trial, the man fled. Circuit Judge John Hatcher allowed the case to go forward, and the man was convicted on all counts.
In a notice to Ward’s attorney, the judge said “the defendant has a lustful disposition toward children.” Ward has a criminal history of child molestation in West Virginia dating back to the 1980s and the state of Indiana also had criminal charges against the main in 1990.
Law enforcement in several counties searched for Ward, and witnesses placed him in several areas including Wayne County. County and state authorities also watched for Ward to return to Boone County. An unidentified woman who lives near the Ward residence in the Julian area said her family was concerned about his return. “We have heard on the news that he has vowed to kill everyone who may have been a witness against him, and to have a dangerous man like that around here scares me,” the woman said.
Ward apparently arranged to turn himself in to the United States Marshal’s Service on Saturday afternoon. He was lodged in the South Central Regional Jail and is scheduled to be returned to the custody of Fayette County officials this week. He faces over 40 years in prison when sentenced later this spring.
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