FAYETTEVILLE — Larry Allen Clay Jr., 58, a sheriff’s deputy and former police chief in Fayette County, was sentenced Friday to 25 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl and obstructing the investigation into his crimes. Clay will also serve 10 years of supervised release, must register as a sex offender, and was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution to the victim.
Clay was convicted in April 2023 on four felony counts, including conspiracy and coercion-based sex trafficking of a minor, and two counts of obstruction of justice.
At the time of the offenses in June 2020, Clay was serving as Chief of Police for the Gauley Bridge Police Department and as a deputy with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. Evidence presented at trial showed Clay paid $100 to co-defendant Kristen Naylor-Legg in exchange for sexual encounters with her 17-year-old female relative on two occasions.
During both incidents, Clay was in full police uniform — including his badge, duty belt, and service firearm — and used official property and facilities. The first encounter occurred near his department-issued vehicle on a rural Fayette County road. The second took place inside a basement office of the former Gauley Bridge High School, which served as a space for the police department. Investigators later recovered DNA evidence from a washcloth left at the scene.
Following the victim’s report to authorities, Clay attempted to pressure Naylor-Legg to lie to law enforcement and inquired with another officer about whether the allegations could be suppressed.
“Today’s sentence reflects the incalculable harm Larry Allen Clay Jr. inflicted on his minor victim, his community, and the public’s trust of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Will Thompson. “He failed his oath to protect the public and uphold the law. But Clay also failed to anticipate his victim’s courage. Because of her bravery and resolve, he was brought to justice.”
Naylor-Legg, 31, of Gauley Bridge, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced to nine years in prison in August 2023.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the West Virginia State Police, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Monica Dillon. U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Reports of child sex trafficking can be made by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or submitting tips online at www.ice.gov/tips.
Court records related to this case are available through PACER under Case No. 2:21-cr-62.
