MONONGAH, W.Va. — Mayor John Palmer has announced the termination of Monongah Police Chief Nathan Lanham.
“Effective Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Officer Nathan Lanham is no longer employed by the Town of Monongah,” Palmer posted on Facebook.
The separation comes following a controversial traffic stop last Thursday.
Beth Delloma, 45, was stopped for an expired registration sticker by Lanham, who was not in a typical uniform or a marked cruiser. The interaction spiraled out of control when Delloma asked for identification and Lanham refused. Lanham pointed his service weapon at Delloma several times and wrestled her to the ground as she attempted to flee the scene for help.
Marion County Prosecutor Jeff Freeman dropped the charges Monday.
“He filed a motion to dismiss the case,” Delloma’s attorney Joe Shaffer said of the prosecutor during a Monday appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.” “He asserts in the motion that the facts in the complaint do not support the felony charge of fleeing in a motor vehicle and reckless indifference to the safety of others.”