Shawn Turak, Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney, releases the following statement:
On July 14, 2025, Larry Eugene Perry, 38, of Wheeling, West Virginia, entered a “No Contest” plea to two counts of the felony offense of “Sexual Abuse by a Custodian” involving sexual abuse of a minor from 2019-2022.
The victim of the crime for which Perry is now convicted was under the age of 12 when the sexual abuse occurred. She is still a minor. The allegations were brought to the attention of law enforcement in 2023 after the minor reported the abuse to a trusted school counselor. As a mandatory reporter, the counselor notified the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources which, in turn, notified law enforcement. The City of Wheeling Police Department detective division undertook the criminal investigation. An Ohio County Grand Jury indicted Perry in January 2024. Perry has remained incarcerated since his arrest in late summer 2023.
Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Perry did not contest the two counts of Sexual Abuse by a Custodian and further acknowledged the record of evidence supported a jury’s finding of guilt. Sentencing will occur at a later time. Sexual Abuse by a Custodian carries a sentence of not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty (20) years in the West Virgina Department of Corrections.
“In addition to the prison sentence, upon release, Mr. Perry will register as a lifetime sex offender and be placed on a term of supervised release which will likely continue through the end of his natural life. This will assure the ongoing protection of our community, particularly our children,” noted Prosecuting Attorney Shawn R. Turak.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault, you are encouraged to contact law enforcement and the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center at (304) 234- 1783.
