Published: July 03, 2009 02:08 am      

Deputy placed on leave for allegedly sending obscene material

FAIRMONT — A Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy has been placed on administrative leave for allegedly sending cell phone text messages containing obscene material.

Worthington resident Joseph B. McKinney, 44, posted $5,000 bond in Marion County Magistrate Court Thursday after being arrested by West Virginia State Police.

According to the criminal complaint, the defendant has been formally charged with distribution and display of obscene material to a minor for allegedly sending nude photographs, which included pictures of his genitalia, to a 17-year-old female through text messages.

Sheriff Joe Carpenter said McKinney has been employed as a deputy with the Marion County department for about 11 years and was placed on “administrative leave” a couple of weeks ago when allegations of the incident surfaced. Carpenter would not indicate whether administrative leave is paid or unpaid.

The complaint states that both the defendant and the victim admitted to being involved in text message conversations with each other on or around this past May or June.

The defendant, the complaint states, also admitted to sending the juvenile the obscene photographs from his phone, and the State Police verified all of the information through digital forensic examinations of the devices and phone records.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.