FAIRMONT, W.Va. – A former Bridgeport city councilor has been charged for investigating the alleged Pagan president Ryan Lane’s murder case without a license.
The West Virginia State Police announced that Lowell “L.J.” Maxey, 73, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for operating as a private investigator without a license.
According to investigators, Maxey was serving as a PI for McArdle Law Office out of Wheeling, who is representing Lane in a trial for his role in the 2022 murder of Henry Silver, between August 1st and September 9th.
According to court documents, the Marion County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reported that Maxey was serving as a PI without a license to the West Virginia State Police on October 23. State police then confirmed that Maxey was serving without a license with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
Police also confirmed that evidence from Lane’s trial revealed photographs and video collected by Maxey, who was not licensed at the time.
There has been no official word on how this may or may not affect Lane’s court proceedings. A motion hearing in Marion County Circuit Court for Lane’s case was continued on Tuesday.
Story by Mike Nolting, WAJR