Ex-firefighter accused of embezzlement

A grandmother indicted for leaving her grandson alone, who then got into her medicine, and a former volunteer firefighter accused of stealing from his department while acting as its treasurer were among the 24 people to plead not guilty on Wednesday.
The 24 people who appeared before Judge Susan Tucker are the defendants in cases assigned to her following the September 2019 term of the Monongalia County grand jury, which returned 92 indictments — making it the smallest grand jury of the year.
David Tennant, 57, of Morgantown, was indicted for embezzlement of more than $1,000.
Tennant stole money from the Cassville Volunteer Fire Department while acting as its treasurer from 2016-18, according to his indictment. The funds were used for car rentals and veterinarian bills and other things, according to a criminal complaint.
“I would love to ask you why, but I’m not permitted,” Tucker said on Wednesday.
Tennant said he is no longer a member of the Cassville Volunteer Fire Department.
Tennant was initially denied a court-appointed attorney and came to his arraignment without an attorney. He told Tucker he was laid off from his job as a coal miner in April, where he had made about $3,000 a month.
After Tennant filled out the proper paperwork, Tucker appointed David Grunau as Tennant’s attorney.
If convicted, Tennant faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.
Donna Snow, 62, also appeared before Tucker and pleaded not guilty.
The Westover grandmother was indicted for child neglect resulting in serious injury.
Snow left her grandson home alone while she went to get food and he got into her medicine while she was gone, according to a criminal complaint. The 2-year-old took an unknown amount of clonidine, a blood pressure medication, and hydrochlorothiazide, a water pill.
According to Snow’s indictment, her grandchild was taken to the hospital, where he coded numerous times and had a stroke.
Snow faces one to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $300-$3,000 if convicted.
Arrest warrants were issued for Seth Rowe, Joel Gomez and Robert Efaw. All three failed to appear before Tucker on Wednesday.