RAINELLE, W.Va. (WVDN) – A Rainelle man is facing charges of witness intimidation and assault after allegedly threatening a key witness in an ongoing investigation into arson and burglary, according to a criminal complaint filed in Greenbrier County Magistrate Court.
Anthony Brown, the accused, was arrested Wednesday after allegedly confronting and threatening a man who had provided state police with information about stolen firearms linked to the May 14 burglary and arson of a home on Hunter Road.
According to the complaint, troopers were conducting a follow-up investigation when they interviewed a male witness who told investigators that Brown had repeatedly threatened him with bodily harm in recent weeks and had tried to intimidate him into staying silent.
The witness also led troopers to a location where several stolen firearms, allegedly taken during the burglary, were recovered.
Later that day, at approximately 12:06 p.m., while returning to the State Police detachment on John Raine Drive, troopers observed Brown sitting across the roadway. After escorting the witness inside to give a follow-up statement, the trooper released him.
Just 20 minutes later, the witness contacted police again, reporting a disturbance at his home. Officers responded to find that Brown had allegedly followed the witness from the detachment, approached his home through the back door, and began shouting for him to come outside. The witness said Brown made threats toward him and members of his family. Brown fled the scene but was later taken into custody. The witness gave another recorded statement detailing the alleged threats and harassment.
Troopers have requested warrants charging Brown with intimidation of a state witness and assault. No court date has been set as of Thursday.
