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The former chief of the Gauley Bridge Police Department was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison Thursday, wrapping up a sex trafficking case against him that garnered national attention.
Last spring, a jury found Larry Allen Clay Jr. guilty of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor via coercion, sex trafficking of a minor via coercion and two counts of obstruction of justice.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said evidence proved Clay, 58, paid a total of $100 to have sex with a 17-year-old girl on two occasions in June 2020.
The deal was arranged by Kristen Naylor-Legg, the victim’s stepmother. Naylor-Legg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor and is serving nine years in federal prison.
Thompson said both encounters took place while Clay, then police chief and a Fayette County Sheriff’s Department deputy, was in full uniform. One happened in his police car on a rural road. The other happened in an office reserved for the Gauley Bridge Police Department.
There, investigators found a discarded washcloth with DNA evidence on it.
Thompson said he thought the crime came out of poverty, saying there was an argument to be made that Clay took advantage of Naylor-Legg and the money was used to buy food.
The minor, who Thompson called a “pillar of strength,” reported the crime. As the investigation started, Clay allegedly asked Naylor-Legg to lie to law enforcement. He also allegedly asked another law enforcement officer if his conduct could be covered up.
Thompson bragged on the victim, who testified at trial while Clay was in the room.
“This little girl has been so patient, so strong. The amount of perseverance this little girl has is amazing,” he said. “I view her as a hero.”
Thompson said that, even at the sentencing hearing Thursday, Clay refused to take responsibility for the crime. He also had tried to delay the sentencing several times.
“I’ll let the public decide what Mr. Clay should be viewed as,” he said. “I don’t view him as very much of a human.”
In addition to 25 years in prison, Clay was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution for the victim’s educational expenses and register as a sex offender.
A civil lawsuit against Clay is pending.
Thompson urged other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward to law enforcement. Or, if they feel uncomfortable reporting to law enforcement, to call his office at 304-345-2200.
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