HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — A Cabell County man has pleaded guilty to felony wiretapping after admitting to secretly recording a foreign exchange student who was living in his home.
Darrell Wells, 59, of Barboursville appeared in federal court Monday where he entered a plea agreement.
The charge stems from a 2022 incident in which Wells was accused of secretly videotaping a 17-year-old female foreign exchange student from Brazil who was staying with his family.
“I think he and his family are disappointed at the way some of the rulings went down regarding some of the evidence we were trying to present. I think that clearly affected the mindset and decision we made today,” Wells’ attorney Abraham Saad said after the hearing.
Investigators said Wells, who was employed as a mechanic by Cabell County Schools at the time, possessed hundreds of child pornography images.
As part of the plea agreement, Wells admitted to recording images of the exchange student using a camera disguised as a towel hanger in her bathroom. He also admitted to installing another camera in her bedroom.
Wells faces a prison sentence of two-and-a-half to five years. He was initially charged with production of child pornography, a charge that carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Wells also agreed to surrender his electronic equipment and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Saad was unsure if Wells had shown remorse.
“I don’t know that. I think he fully accepted responsibility by his plea,” he said. “I think you don’t plead guilty without accepting responsibility. That is the basis for a plea of guilty.”
Wells is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14. In the meantime, he remains free on bond.
