'Still looking over my shoulder': Ex-police chief gets prison for sex trafficking teen

A former police chief in West Virginia has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a teen girl and then subsequently trying to hinder investigators.

Larry Clay Jr., 58, former police chief in Fayetteville, was convicted of child sex trafficking and obstruction of justice last year. He served as the chief of police for the Gauley Bridge Police Department and was also an employee of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

Prosecutors sought a life sentence for Clay, The Washington Post reported. Clay did not react when he received his sentence.

The Post reported that the victim, who is now 22, told Clay in court: “You were supposed to help keep people safe. You used your badge and took advantage of your power and took whatever you wanted."

“Because of you, I’m still looking over my shoulder to make sure I’m not being watched, and watching what I wear because I still feel like sweatpants and a hoodie is too revealing. I might never be the same again, but you won’t ever make anyone else a victim of your games. I’ll never forget what you did, and I’m not forgiving you for what you did. I’m forgiving you so I can heal," she said.

Clay paid $100 to co-defendant Kristen Naylor-Legg to engage in sexual misconduct with her 17-year-old relative on two occasions in June 2020, authorities said. Clay remained in his police uniform for the duration of each assault, authorities added.

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The first incident happened in his government-issued vehicle on a rural county road and the second took place inside the old Gauley Bridge High School building, in a location restricted to certain people including police. Law enforcement authorities found DNA evidence on a discarded washcloth.

“Larry Allen Clay’s crimes are particularly heinous, as he was in a position of trust and respect within his community,” said Derek W. Gordon, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations. "Clay violated that trust and victimized a minor. HSI will work tirelessly to ensure that there is no refuge for child sexual predators who believe they can pursue their perverse behavior with impunity; they cannot escape justice and there will be serious consequences for their heinous actions.”

In September 2020, Clay tried to persuade his co-defendant to lie to investigators about the incidents and asked a law enforcement officer if his crimes could be concealed, officials said.

Naylor-Legg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking in 2021.