Elderly man abducted and beaten in Summers County; three arrested

SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Three people have been arrested after abducting and beating a 70-year-old man in Summers County.

According to the West Virginia State Police, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, Senior Trooper S.K. Weikle of the Hinton Detachment received a report of a violent crime involving an elderly man.

The investigation revealed that 70-year-old Johnny J. Simms had been abducted, beaten, and robbed.

The incident occurred on or about Monday, July 15, 2024, when Lataura E. Jarrett 32, Wesley S. Taylor 32, and Johnathan W. Cales 24, all from the Meadow Bridge/Rainelle area, allegedly drove Simms to an abandoned residence on Redden Hollow Road in Summers County.

There, the trio severely beat Simms and robbed him of his money.

They then bound him with rope and left him at the abandoned residence without aid.

Simms managed to free himself and escape on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

He obtained help and was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Following the investigation, Senior Trooper Weikle obtained warrants and arrested Jarrett, Taylor, and Cales.

They are charged with Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault During the Commission of a Felony, Malicious Assault, and Conspiracy to Inflict Injury.

Wesley Taylor is currently housed at Central Regional Jail, while Lataura Jarrett and Johnathan Cales are at Southern Regional Jail.

All three suspects are being held without bond until their appearance before Summers County Circuit Judge Robert A. Irons.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.