Woman is Federally Indicted for Buying the Gun Used in Nicholas County Shooting

A Nicholas County woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the shooting that left a deputy dead and another wounded. Melanie Clodfelter, of Summersville is charged with knowingly making a false and fictitious oral and written statement by certifying that she was the transferee of a firearm, unlawfully selling or disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm by someone who is an unlawful user of and addicted to methamphetamine and marijuana. Nicholas County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Edward Baker III was killed and Corporal Joshua Ellison was wounded in an exchange of gunfire after responding to a domestic disturbance in the Birch River area on June 3. According to the indictment, Clodfelter purchased the gun and provided it that same day to a the man accused in the shooting. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.