BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOGAN, W.Va. — A Southern West Virginia insurance agent is facing four felony charges after an investigation by the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.

Wayne A. Runyon, 53, of Chapmanville, was arrested June 16 on charges of obtaining money, property and services by false pretenses, fraudulent schemes, computer fraud and fraudulent insurance acts. The charges stem from criminal complaints filed June 12 in Logan County Magistrate Court by state investigators.

According to the complaints, the investigation began after a client contacted the state insurance commission regarding annuities purchased for the client’s son.

Investigators allege the client wrote Runyon a personal check for $10,000 on Jan. 30, 2023, to purchase an annuity for his son. The complaints state the client later provided Runyon with a cashier’s check March 9, 2024, for additional annuity purchases.

Investigators said the payments were made, but the annuity policies “were never actualized” and did not exist.

The complaints further allege that Runyon did not attempt to return the money.

Runyon was arraigned following his arrest before Logan County Magistrate Burley Ferrell. Bond was set at $4,000 on each charge. Runyon was later released after posting 10% of the bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 6 at 10 a.m. in Logan County Magistrate Court.

Runyon operates insurance agencies in Williamson, Lenore, Logan and Madison.

Runyon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.