CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday a Monongalia County sheriff’s deputy has been indicted and taken into custody in connection with an investigation focusing on the use of an excessive force during an arrest.
A two-count indictment, unsealed Thursday, charges Deputy Lance Kuretza, 38, with depriving an individual of his civil rights by using excessive force and for writing a false report to cover it up.
Federal investigators said Kuretza punched, elbowed and used pepper spray on a suspect while handcuffed during a Jan. 20, 2018 incident. Court documents also said Kuretza lied in an official report claiming the pepper spray was used prior to the suspect being handcuffed and omitted all force had been used while the suspect was restrained.
Kuretza has been arrested and was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday afternoon.
Kuretza faces up to 10 years in prison for the civil rights violation and up to 20 years in prison for falsifying the report if convicted.
Kuretza has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.
Federal authorities said the sheriff’s department is supporting the investigation.