Green Bank Principal Melvin Lindsey On Home Confinement

Green Bank, WV – Green Bank Elementary Middle school Principal Melvin Lindsey is back in Pocahontas County, a relief to those who had heard he’d been reported missing on January 6th. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that he’s on home confinement, charged with entering without breaking and petty larceny. It’s yet one more bizarre twist in a story that has left many in the county scratching their heads.

It began on Friday, January 6th, when school personnel at Green Bank became concerned when Lindsey didn’t show up for work as usual. Thinking he might have been in a car accident, they called the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s department. Sheriff’s deputies, coordinating with the West Virginia State Police began to search in earnest for Lindsey.

Using Lindsey’s cell phone, authorities were able to locate him by Friday afternoon in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Pocahontas County Sheriff David Jonese confirmed his whereabouts late Friday afternoon, saying Lindsey was in good condition physically. Jonese also said the Harrisonburg police would hold Lindsey pending an interview and medical evaluation.

Lindsey waived extradition and was returned to Pocahontas County on Monday. He was arraigned Monday evening before Magistrate Kathy Beverage. Beverage put Lindsey on an $11,000.00 personal recognizance bond, $10,000.00 for the felony entering without breaking charge, and $1000.00 for the misdemeanor petty larceny charge, with the conditional stipulation that he be on home confinement. Lindsey made bond and was released. He could face up to 10 years in prison and 2500.00 in fines if convicted.

Pocahontas County School Superintendent C.C. Lester spoke to the county Board of Education members about the situation during their regular meeting Monday night. He says Green Bank school personnel are coping as best they can under the circumstances.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of concern about Green Bank, it’s a personnel matter at the time,” he says. “I’ve had Mr. Brown to be over the school; Ms. Bland was there this morning, as well as myself, she’ll be there in the morning to checking in. Mr. Brown, who fills in when the principal isn’t there, will be there. Allen Bell who’s been a mentor up there said he will come over once or twice a week as needed.”

Pocahontas County Prosecuting Attorney Donna Meadows Price says a preliminary hearing for Lindsey will be scheduled within 20 days.