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WHEELING -- Witness cooperation was key to convicting retired Wheeling police Lt. Phillip Redford for possessing a nude photograph of a then-17-year-old girl who is now his 18-year-old fiancee.
"Some of the witnesses in the case became extremely cooperative and provided information. Their statements were absolutely critical," said West Virginia State Police Sgt. Scott Adams of the Crimes Against Children Unit, who filed charges against Redford. "I think they came to the realization that what happened is wrong, that she truly is a victim of a crime whether she believes that right now or not … ."
Adams declined to give details about the witnesses.
On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Ronald E. Wilson accepted Redford's guilty plea to possession of material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Wilson sentenced Redford to two years in prison, then suspended that sentence to one year of probation. Redford's probation begins immediately, and he met with his probation officer, who was in the courtroom.
Next for Redford is two years of supervision as a sex offender. He must also register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.
Special Prosecutor Joe Barki said Redford possessed a full-frontal, naked photograph of the victim.
"That photo was displayed to another man in the home of Philip Redford, when the men were socializing," Barki said.
After the hearing, Adams said the investigation shows Redford received the photo, which appears to be a selfie taken by the victim, in April or May, when the victim was still 17.
The teenager graduated in May, turned 18 in June and is now a student at American University in Washington, D.C. She has said she is not a victim in the case, and that Redford did nothing wrong.
"It will be a long year," she said through tears after Thursday's hearing, referring to an order Redford have no contact with her during his probation.
Adams' original complaint against Redford charged him with sexual abuse by a person of trust, and accused him of having a sexual relationship with the teenager from January to May 2016 while Redford was head of security at The Linsly School, where the girl was a student at the time.
However, defense attorney David Moye has refuted that accusation throughout the case.
"We still contend that there (were) no sexual relations" to support the initial charge, he said Thursday.
The victim's father said he found out in August about the alleged sexual relationship between Redford and his daughter. Through attorney Paul Harris, he brought the relationship and alleged evidence to Adams' attention.
"My entire family and I are most satisfied with this outcome, but we are by no means happy," he said in a prepared statement after the hearing. "Mr. Redford broke not only the law, but he also broke a sacred trust with the people and the institutions that had relied upon his judgment and protection."
The state and Redford reached the plea agreement just days before the Ohio County grand jury met on Monday. Had Redford been indicted and convicted of the original felony charge, he would have faced 10-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
After the hearing, Moye said the initial charge "wasn't fact-driven" and was excessive given the facts of the case.
"There was simply no evidence to show that (a sexual relationship)" occurred when she was a minor, Moye said. "I think this is a fair resolution in the disposition, in light of what developed later."
Redford said it would not be appropriate for him to comment.
As part of Redford's conditions for probation, he is prohibited for three years from having any verbal or physical contact with the victim, including any contact through an intermediary. Wilson said the victim can petition to modify the no-contact provision, but Redford cannot.
Redford also must undergo a psychiatric evaluation and must comply with any recommendations for treatment, Wilson said.
Wilson said he does consider the teen a victim, noting at her age "the frontal cortex (of her brain) is not fully developed."
"Children make foolish decisions," he said.
Other victims of the crime are her parents, Linsly and other parents at the school who are concerned about their children, according to Wilson.
Adams said throughout the case, he did what he thought was best for the victim.
"I hope she knows that everything I did in this investigation was for her. Maybe someday she'll realize that, but she doesn't right now," Adams said.
The teenager's father said he tried to keep the matter out of the court system by offering Redford, via Harris, "the opportunity to avoid this prosecution by simply refraining from having further contact with our daughter for the next three years so that she can begin to get over him and enjoy the normal life that she deserves."
The Linsly School issued a statement after Redford's conviction.
"While we are very disappointed with the entire situation, after a thorough internal investigation, there is nothing we believe we could have done differently as a school," Linsly Headmaster Justin Zimmerman said. "Mr. Redford is no longer employed by our school, and was not an employee when Linsly learned of the charges. The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority and will continue to be, moving forward."