A Logan County man accused of attacking a state Senate candidate was arrested on Sunday evening.
Richard Ojeda, a Democrat running in District 7, said he was at a cook-out in the Whitman area of Logan County at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday when Jonathan Porter, whom he hadn't seen in years, attacked him.
Porter, 41, of the Whitman Creek area, turned himself in at about 6 p.m., according to Trooper Z.S. Holden. He is charged with malicious assault, attempt to commit a felony and destruction of property.
In an interview from his hospital room at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital this morning, Ojeda said Porter showed up at the cook-out and told the political candidate he wanted a bumper sticker.
"I've known him since I was like around 7," Ojeda said. "We grew up in the same holler."
Ojeda, who spent 24 years in the U.S. Army, said he stuck a bumper sticker on the back of Porter's truck, then Porter said he wanted a bumper sticker on the front of his truck, too.
"I didn't realize what he was doing was luring me around to the other side of the truck where he could be blocked (from) everyone at the picnic," Ojeda said. Ojeda said when he knelt over to place the bumper sticker on the truck, Porter repeatedly kicked him in the head, then got something of the truck. Other people at the cook-out told him they saw Porter hit him in the head with brass knuckles. Another person thought they saw Porter use a hammer.
"All I know is I woke up with my head on a tree stump covered in blood and I just kept going in and out of consciousness until I got to the hospital," Ojeda said.
People at the picnic also told Ojeda that Porter tried to run him over with his truck. They said Porter fled after striking two side-by-sides.
Ojeda believes the attack was politically motivated. Since he hadn't spoken to Porter in years, he believes someone else put Porter up to the attack.
"I can't accuse anybody directly," he said. "I don't have the facts. But I will tell you I don't see any other reason why this would happen other than it being political."
He said that he has been very vocal about his sentences for those involved in the Mountain Laurel Mining Complex kickback scheme, including that of Alvis Porter, Jonathan Porter's uncle.
In May of 2014, prosecutors charged 10 people in what they described as a widespread scheme that forced companies to pay kickbacks to obtain contracts at the mine. David Runyon, the general manager, was charged with one count each of extortion and tax evasion. Alvis Porter, of Holden, a former Logan County circuit clerk and the owner and operator of Southern Construction, was charged with failing to pay trust-fund taxes of his employees. He also admitted to paying about $400,000 in kickbacks to Runyon. In February of 2015, Porter was sentenced to three years probation for failing to pay employment taxes. He also agreed to forfeit $350,000 and pay the IRS nearly $27,000.
"It shows that we have a double standard," Ojeda said. "These people who are rich and powerful and politically connected are able to get away with anything."
Ojeda said he is known for being vocal about corruption in Logan County.
He said he has also sent Freedom of Information Act requests to the County Commission. On Sunday morning, he posted images he said were of the FOIA documents, and wrote "come Tuesday, remember how my opponent has been charging the Logan County commission a consulting fee for years to the tune of $2,500 a month."
"I speak out when I see something wrong," he said. "I was brought up to believe if you walk past something that's wrong and you don't comment, you've just created a lower standard."
Ojeda suffered eight fractures and three lacerations to his face. He said he will need cheekbone surgery later this week.
He's still sore, and dizzy when he stand up. But he says "I'm fine."
He will leave the hospital today, although doctors prefer he stay longer.
"I want people to see my face," he said. "I want people to see me. I want people to see me and know that I'm still in this."
State Police are investigating the incident.
Holden, the lead investigator, said he believed Porter turned himself in because he knew there were witnesses. Holden said he doesn't know if the attack was politically-motivated. He said Porter chose not to give any statements while in custody.
He said he hopes to know more by getting in touch with Porter's lawyer and arranging an interview.
"The investigation is still pending at this time," he said. "I don't have any leads though."
Ojeda is running against Democratic incumbent Art Kirkendoll in District 7, which covers Logan, Boone and Lincoln counties, as well as part of Mingo and Wayne counties. Reached Sunday, Kirkendoll said he does not condone violence, and that his thoughts and prayers were with Ojeda.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.