PRINCETON, W.Va. — A Mercer County man is facing felony charges after deputies say an investigation and forensic testing linked him to a reported sexual assault involving a woman with documented intellectual disabilities.
According to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, deputies first responded to a residence on Trove Place in Princeton on June 20, 2025, following an indecent exposure complaint. 911 callers reported a man and woman engaging in sexual activity in a front yard.
Deputies said they arrived to find the pair, identified as Charles Keffer and Alexis Anderson, near a trailer at the location. Investigators later received brief video clips from a neighbor that appeared to show sexual activity taking place in the yard.
During the investigation, Anderson’s mother arrived and informed deputies that she is Anderson’s legal guardian. She also provided documentation showing Anderson has autism and an intellectual disability, according to the report. Anderson was transported to a hospital, where a sexual assault examination was conducted.
Detectives later reviewed forensic laboratory results from the sexual assault evidence kit, which indicated the presence of male DNA on multiple samples collected from Anderson. A court-authorized DNA swab was later obtained from Keffer, and analysts with the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory determined that DNA from several samples was consistent with Keffer’s profile, investigators said.
Due to Anderson’s documented incapacity and her longstanding acquaintance with Keffer, detectives stated they believe Keffer was aware of her limitations at the time of the alleged conduct.
A forensic interview with Anderson was conducted in October 2025 due to her cognitive condition. Investigators said Anderson disclosed that she was sexually assaulted and identified Keffer as the individual involved.
Based on the investigation, detectives requested warrants charging Charles Leslie Keffer with sexual abuse in the second degree and sexual assault in the third degree.
The case remains under investigation, and Keffer will face the charges through the court system.