A 37-year-old Tyler County man was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison Friday morning, just moments after he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse by a custodian or person in a position of trust. Donald Hurtado entered his plea on September 11, 2026, and was immediately sentenced afterward.
The case, investigated by West Virginia State Police, was prosecuted in Tyler County, according to WTOV. Tyler County, whose seat is Middlebourne, is part of West Virginia's Second Judicial Circuit alongside Marshall and Wetzel counties, according to the West Virginia Judiciary.
Why the Sentence Was 20 to 40 Years
Hurtado's 20-to-40-year term represents the sentence reported in the case. The case involved two counts.
The case involved two counts and resulted in a 20-to-40-year sentence.
Hurtado's charges involved sexual abuse by a custodian or person in a position of trust. The available material does not establish the statute's legislative history or whether it changed the treatment of non-parental caregivers.
Two Decades Before Parole Is Even Possible
Hurtado's 20-to-40-year sentence includes a 20-year minimum term. The available case information does not specify when he may first be considered for parole.
The available case information does not state whether probation was considered for Hurtado.
His guilty plea was entered before sentencing, but the case information does not discuss any appeal. The available material does not address appellate challenges to the sentence.
Post-Sentence Obligations
The available case information does not state what legal obligations Hurtado may face after release. It also does not specify whether any additional supervision could apply.
The available case information does not address registration fees, related legal challenges, the number of registrants, or how any fee would be used.
