Harrison County defendants appear in felony sex crime cases

Several defendants facing felony sex crime charges appeared recently in Harrison County Common Pleas Court.

Charles B. Jarvis, 82, of Jewett was found competent to stand trial during a May 19 hearing before Judge T. Shawn Hervey. Jarvis faces one count of rape, a first-degree felony; one count of sexual battery, a second-degree felony; and two counts of gross sexual imposition, both third-degree felonies.

Jarvis, who is represented by Public Defender C. Adrian Pincola, previously had filed motions for discovery and a bill of particulars. He was ordered March 31 to undergo a competency evaluation.

According to the court docket, the court found Jarvis “is able to appreciate charges against him and is able to assist in his own defense.”

The evaluation was conducted by the Forensic Diagnostic Center of District Nine Inc. Hervey also stated Jarvis “did not suffer from a severe mental defect or a severe mental disease … at the time of the offense charged.”

Pincola stipulated to the findings and did not request an additional evaluation. Jarvis’ next hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. June 30 for a pretrial conference.

In another case, proceedings involving Henry P. Miller of Mercer, Pennsylvania, were handled in chambers and did not go on the record. Miller faces six second-degree felony charges, including pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, illegal use of a minor, pandering obscenities involving a minor and pandering sexual matter involving a minor.

Miller is represented by attorney Charles C. Amato. He was indicted Oct. 9 and retained private counsel Feb. 24, replacing Pincola. Several scheduled hearings have since been postponed following discussions in chambers. Miller’s next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 30.

Also appearing was Floyd E. Burge, 50, of Scio, whose hearing also was postponed from the record. Burge faces six felony charges, including two counts of trafficking in persons and two counts of rape, all first-degree felonies, along with two counts of gross sexual imposition, third-degree felonies.

Burge was indicted and arraigned last July. After initially requesting a different public defender in December, he later agreed to continue with Pincola before Amato was appointed as new counsel in April.

Court records also state Burge expressed willingness to submit to a polygraph examination, although results would not be admissible unless both parties agree.

Burge’s next hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. June 30.