Kanawha County, WV Prosecuting Attorney

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Kanawha County, WV Prosecuting Attorney Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak Rusnak, her Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys and support staff. Ms.

Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak
Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak has spent her entire life living in Kanawha County and her entire career serving the citizens of Kanawha County. As the highest Law Enforcement Officer in the County, the fine men and women on the front line rely on the advice and assistance provided by Ms. Rusnak’s Attorneys do not shy away from the toughest cases and the most dangerous criminals. Rusnak has always faced prosecution with the belief that right is right, wrong is wrong, and fair is fair. The rules are the rules for everyone and none of us gets to ignore them. This is the policy of the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney and the integrity this county deserves. The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney is committed to the safety of the County’s citizens, Justice for victims of crime, and serving the County’s residents with Integrity, all while being a conservative custodian of every tax dollar. Assistants and Staff
One in 26,000 attorneys in the United States is a Prosecutor. The job requires one to be mentally strong to remain resilient while working with the worst facts in the worst cases, professionally skilled to meet the world’s highest legal burden, and morally driven to do the right thing, every single day. Nearly 27,000 cases were filed in Kanawha County in 2023, more than double that of the next busiest counties and nearly ten times that of some West Virginia Counties. The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney is assisted by more than 50 Attorneys and support staff. Organization
The Magistrate Section is responsible for pre-trial litigation, Misdemeanor Trials, Felony Preliminary Hearings, and other proceedings before the County’s twelve Magistrates. The Juvenile Section handles Juvenile Offender cases before the Juvenile Referee and the Circuit Courts as well as Juvenile Abuse and Neglect cases in Circuit Court. The Felony Section handles pretrial litigation, plea negotiations, and Trials before the County’s eight Judges. The Grand Jury Section prepares and presents cases before the Grand Jury to be litigated in Circuit Court. The Executive Section acts as administration for the Agency including Supervision of all Legal Work, Budget and Finance, Human Resources, Public Information and relations, Law Enforcement Support, Victim Services, and Inter-agency Relations.

Happy to trunk or treat for the kids at Beni Kedem Shrine.
10/23/2026

Happy to trunk or treat for the kids at Beni Kedem Shrine.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONSMagistrate Section Assistant Prosecuting AttorneyJuvenile Section Assistant Prosecuting AttorneyReq...
10/19/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Magistrate Section Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Juvenile Section Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Requirements
• Active License to Practice Law in the State Courts of West Virginia
• Acceptable Background Check
• Acceptable Drug Screen
• Superior Time, Caseload, and support staff Management Ability
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Products
• Proficiency in West Virginia E-Filing
• Must be a Team Player
• Must be able to function effectively in this high-volume, dynamic situation

Benefits
• Competitive Salary, Commensurate with Experience
• Life Insurance
• Public Employees Retirement
• Access to Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance
• PEIA Health Coverage
• Zero Co-Pay Walk-In Clinic for Kanawha County employees and families
• 12 Paid Legal Holidays
• 12 days Annual Leave each year, accruing monthly
• 12 days Medical Leave each year, accruing monthly
• High-Quality Training Program, including MCLE
• National District Attorneys Association Membership
• Qualified Public Service Employment
• Opportunity to DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY

Please send Resume and Availability to [email protected]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Andrew Ryan Nomar, 34, of Charleston, WV, was convicted yesterday on First Degree Robbery by virtue ...
10/14/2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Andrew Ryan Nomar, 34, of Charleston, WV, was convicted yesterday on First Degree Robbery by virtue of a Guilty Plea.

According to court documents, on March 18, 2025, a Deputy with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Dollar General located on Midland Drive in Rand, Kanawha County in reference to an armed robbery. Upon Arrival, an employee described a male who entered the store wearing a mask and handed her a demand letter that stated, “Get all the money out of the safes and registers now, or I will kill you, I have a gun and will use it.” Fearing for her safety, the employee complied with the suspect’s demands.

Nomar is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than ten years.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney commends the investigative work and professionalism of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office on this case.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Gunnoe prosecuted this case before the Honorable Kenneth Ballard, Circuit Judge.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Leo Antonio Smith, 23, of Saint Albans, WV, was convicted today on Distribution and exhibiting of ma...
09/25/2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Leo Antonio Smith, 23, of Saint Albans, WV, was convicted today on Distribution and exhibiting of material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct by virtue of a Jury Verdict.

According to court documents, on May 19, 2024, a Detective with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Smoot Avenue and King Street in Dunbar, Kanawha County. While at the scene, the Detective spoke with one of the suspects identified as Leo Smith. During that investigation, his cellphone was collected for analysis. The forensic download of the cellphone revealed multiple images and videos of juvenile females being subjected to sexually explicit acts.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of imprisonment in a state correctional facility of not less than 5 nor more than 15 years.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney commends the investigative work and professionalism of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the South Charleston Police Department on this case.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ryanne Ball prosecuted this case with the assistance of Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Gunnoe before the Honorable Dave Hardy, Circuit Judge.

09/24/2026

Our phones are back up and working.

09/24/2026

Our phones are down. If you have an immediate need please contact us at [email protected]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David L. Engle, 51, of Charleston, WV, was Sentenced today to the maximum penalty of not less than 1...
09/21/2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David L. Engle, 51, of Charleston, WV, was Sentenced today to the maximum penalty of not less than 10 nor more than 25 Years in the Penitentiary.

Engle was convicted of Second Offense Failure to Register as a S*x Offender on August 3, 2026, by virtue of a Guilty Plea.

According to court documents, Engle is required to Register for Life by the State of Illinois for 3 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a female minor. Engle failed to report to the South Charleston State Police Detachment his new and active social media accounts within ten business days of activation in violation of his registration requirement. Throughout the investigation, West Virginia State Police discovered multiple social media accounts created by Engle that were never registered.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney commends the vigilance and professionalism of the West Virginia State Police.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Gunnoe prosecuted this case before the Honorable Kenneth Ballard, Circuit Judge.

Magistrate Section Assistant Prosecuting AttorneyImmediate Availability – Open until FilledThe Kanawha County Prosecutin...
09/14/2026

Magistrate Section Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Immediate Availability – Open until Filled
The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office seeks candidates for immediate hire.
Successful Candidate will represent the State in criminal matters in Magistrate Court.
This is an entry-level position, and young attorneys are encouraged to apply.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience as a prosecutor.
Must be mentally strong, professionally skilled, and morally driven.

Requirements
• Active License to Practice Law in the State Courts of West Virginia
• Time, Caseload, and support staff Management Ability
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in West Virginia E-Filing
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office
• Must be a Team Player
• Must be able to function effectively in this high-volume, dynamic situation
• Must have superior attention to detail in both analysis and note taking
• Must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic
• Must be able to pass Pre-Employment and Random Drug Screening
• Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Background Check
Responsibilities
• Manage and litigate Misdemeanor Motions and Trials
• Appear on Bond Modification hearings
• Appear on PBT Refusal Hearings
• Appear at Preliminary Hearings in Felony cases on behalf of the State
• Periodic “On Call” Duty
Benefits
• Competitive Salary
• Opportunities for Advancement
• Public Employees Retirement
• Access to Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and PEIA Health Coverage with funded Health Savings Account
• Zero Co-Pay Clinic for Kanawha County employees and families
• 12 Paid Legal Holidays, 12 days Annual Leave, and 12 days Medical Leave
• Qualified Public Service Employment
• High-quality training program, including MCLE
• State Bar National District Attorneys Association Membership
• Qualified Public Service Employment
• Opportunity to DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY

Please send Resume and Availability to [email protected]

Magistrate Section Legal Assistant Immediate Availability – Open until FilledThe Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office seek...
09/14/2026

Magistrate Section Legal Assistant
Immediate Availability – Open until Filled

The Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office seeks candidates for immediate hire.
Successful Candidate will provide support to Attorneys in representing the State of West Virginia in Kanawha County’s Magistrate Courts.
Must be mentally strong, professionally skilled, and morally driven.

Requirements
• Must be a Team Player
• Legal office experience or education preferred
• Acceptable Background Check
• Acceptable Drug Screen
• Time and Task Management Skills
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office
• Must be a Team Player
• Must be able to function effectively in this high-volume, dynamic situation
• Must be able to pass Pre-Employment and Random Drug Screening
• Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Background Check
Responsibilities
• Secure daily arrest list
• Open paper and electronic files
• Request and receive evidence
• Prepare, Serve, and file discovery
• Prepare and send subpoenas for service
• Request, receive, and file Criminal Backgrounds
• Request, receive, and file DMV Records when applicable
Benefits
• Competitive Salary
• Frequent Opportunities for Advancement
• Life Insurance
• Public Employees Retirement
• Access to Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance
• PEIA Health Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Zero Co-Pay Clinic for Kanawha County employees and families
• 12 Paid Legal Holidays
• 12 days Annual Leave and 12 days Medical Leave each year, accruing monthly
• Qualified Public Service Employment
• Opportunity to DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY

Please send Resume and Availability to [email protected]

Address

301 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV

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