CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – The Monongalia County Sheriff’s deputy facing federal charges has been released on bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court August 25 at 1 p.m.
Lance Kuretza, 38, is accused of punching, elbowing and using pepper spray on a suspect restrained in handcuffs in January of 2018. Reports indicate Kuretza altered paperwork to make it appear the physical contact happened before the suspect was handcuffed.
According to court documents, Kuretza must avoid contact any victim or witness in the investigation, submit to a DNA test if required, surrender any passport and agree not to apply for one, participate in a substance abuse therapy and counseling and travel outside the jurisdiction of the Northern District of West Virginia. He is also barred from possessing weapons, alcohol, drugs and must actively seek employment.
If terms of release are violated he could be arrested immediately.
Kuretza is scheduled to be arraigned August 25 at 1 p.m.
If convicted, Kuretza faces up to 10 years in prison for the civil rights violation and up to 20 years in prison for falsifying the report.