Kingwood police officer charged over incident

Sept. 4 – A Kingwood police officer was charged Saturday in connection with an incident in which he is accused of discharging a firearm and damaging fiber optic equipment.

Preston County Sheriff’s officers responded to a report of shots fired in the Brandonville area around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and found Chase Waugh, 21, of Bruceton Mills, who had just fired several shots. The shots caused over $2,500 in damage to Prodigi’s fiber optic facilities, authorities said.

Waugh was charged with criminal damage to property and is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on $10,000 bail.

Waugh completed training at the West Virginia State Police Academy on behalf of the Kingwood Police Department.

Police Chief Lawson Stewart said Waugh was no longer with the police force as a result of the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be filed.