By RACHEL C. DOVE
Staff Writer
WILLIAMSON - In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 9, Mingo County 911 received a call from a woman screaming for help, yelling frantically that she was being sexually assaulted. Thanks to modern technology that allows a cell phone’s location to be traced and the quick response time of law enforcement officers, further harm to the victim was prevented and the alleged rapist was captured in a matter of minutes from the time the distress call was received.
According to the criminal complaint and arrest warrant filed by Mingo County Sheriff’s Deputy (MCSD) M.J. Miller, he responded to the caller’s location of Armory Drive in West Williamson (on the floodwall), and observed a silver, 2011 GMC Sierra truck bearing Ky. tags parked in the grass near the river bank. Deputy Miller seen the defendant, Gary D. Goff II, 33, of Pinsonfork, Ky., running towards his truck when he realized the officer was at the scene. Goff is said to have jumped in the vehicle, threw it into gear and drove directly toward the police cruiser. Miller initiated his lights and siren attempting to halt the vehicle but instead, the driver tried to ram the police car.
Miller relayed in his report that the defendant changed his course before collision and lost control of the truck, crashing into a nearby ditch line. The deputy gave verbal commands for Goff to turn the vehicle off and exit with his hands in the air. Instead of complying, the defendant allegedly put the truck in reverse and once again tried to flee the scene.
West Virginia State Police (WVSP) J.D. Matheny arrived to provide assistance, and also gave verbal commands to Goff to exit the vehicle, which he supposedly continued to refuse to do. The officers approached the truck and attempted to remove him, at which time the defendant is said to have physically struggled with the deputy and trooper, resisting arrest in what was described as a “very aggressive manner”. Goff allegedly threw punches at both law enforcement members and continued to be non-compliant. When removed from inside the truck, Goff’s behavior only intensified.
After restraining and handcuffing Goff, Deputy Miller stated he detected a strong, alcoholic odor on the breath and person of the defendant. When questioned whether he had consumed alcohol, Goff allegedly admitted that he had been at Dandy’s nightclub in Williamson prior to the arrest and had been drinking. The defendant was transported to the Williamson Memorial Hospital (WMH) where he consented to a blood alcohol test that produced results of .119, well above the legal limit.
The victim, who will remain un-named, was also taken to the WMH emergency room for treatment and was then interviewed by law enforcement about the alleged rape. The traumatized female told the officers Goff had held her against her will and refused to allow her out of the vehicle until they reached the river bank. He was then said to have removed her from the truck and held her out over the water. At the time of the officer’s arrival on scene, the victim was reportedly only wearing a t-shirt and was nude from the waist down. The female was extremely distraught and could not answer any more questions at that time.
Miller stated that Goff was questioned as to whether he had sexual intercourse with the victim, to which he is said to have answered “yes”.
Goff was brought before Mingo County Magistrate Dallas Toler where he was arraigned on charges of sexual assault 1st degree, DUI, fleeing vehicle DUI and two counts each of battery on an officer and obstructing an officer. Toler remanded the defendant to be held in the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden on a full-cash $250,000 bond until which time he can appear before Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury to be arraigned on the one additional charge of kidnapping, which is a federal crime.
This incident remains under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available. Miller and Matheny were also assisted at the scene by MCSD Deputy M. Leandero and WVSP Trooper D. Contose. STAT Ambulance provided treatment and transports of the victim.
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