FOIA Request to Fayette County Sheriff’s Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
The Mountain State Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia. The request, dated September 24, 2025, seeks comprehensive arrest records for the entire year of 2023. This includes detailed information such as the arrestee’s name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, the request asks for booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types and locations of crimes committed, and dates of those crimes.
The request was made under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§29-B-1-1 et seq.) with a preference for receiving the data in electronic format. The Mountain State Times emphasized its role in providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs and stressed that access to public records is vital for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
In their communication with the Sheriff’s Office, the Mountain State Times requested a fee waiver citing their status as a media organization involved in disseminating information to the public. They also highlighted their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through FOIA requests.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
