Court records: Couple sexually assaulted juvenile 252 times in three years

MASON COUNTY, W.V. -- (WVAH) -- A Mason County couple is charged with 252 counts of first degree sexual assault. The victim is a female juvenile family member.

Ariel Prince and Roger Ray were arraigned on the charges Monday afternoon. Court records indicate the sexual assaults took place seven times a month over a three year period. The investigation started November 30th, but the couple was arrested this weekend when deputies responded to an EMS call involving Roger Ray's dad.

"While they were there they were talking to the son Roger Alan Ray about the other case and that's when he gave up about his girlfriend and his own involvement," said Mason County Sheriff Greg Powers.

"Extreme shock, especially being that we were that close to it and didn't see it," said Victoria Linton, a neighbor of the Ray's. She and husband Robert Linton can see the Ray's house from their house in rural Mason County, but she says families that live in the country usually keep to themselves.

"I'm shocked that I didn't see something, and it makes me feel almost responsible because I didn't see it," said Linton.

She says she knows the young victim and feels for her, but she wonders if she can ever come to terms with what happened in her neighborhood. "I will continue to question myself. Why didn't I see. That I know. I'll continue to question that," said Linton.

Bond for Prince and Ray was set at $750,000 cash only.