Dunbar cop accused of forcing woman into sexual acts
1 officer is on indefinite administrative leave, but no one will confirm charges
A Dunbar police officer allegedly sought sexual favors from a young woman in exchange for ignoring her traffic violations.
By Gary A. Harki
Staff writer


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Dunbar police officer allegedly sought sexual favors from a young woman in exchange for ignoring her traffic violations.

Charleston lawyer and former Kanawha County prosecutor Bill Forbes said he represents the interests of a woman in her early 20s who says she was forced to perform sexual acts on a Dunbar police officer.

The Gazette does not normally identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

Forbes said the incident occurred one night within the past two months when the woman and a male passenger were pulled over for traffic violations. She had not been drinking and was not accused of doing so, he said.

The woman previously had been caught driving on a revoked driver's license, Forbes said.

"She gets in the cruiser and, as I understand it, the conversation begins that she can get out of trouble," Forbes said.

The officer tells her he'll not charge her with the traffic violations if she'll agree to his sexual requests.

The passenger in the woman's car is left on the side of the road, and the officer drives off with the woman in his car, Forbes said.

"He takes her up to the end of a dark, lonely road someplace," Forbes said. "At which point she's afraid not to comply."

After they finished the sexual encounter, the police officer released her, Forbes said.

Forbes said it is his understanding that there is physical evidence to back up her story.

Dunbar Mayor Jack Yeager said Wednesday that Sgt. R.O. Conley is on administrative leave with pay, but would not confirm that Conley is under investigation. He is on administrative leave for an indefinite period, Yeager said at Monday's City Council meeting.

Sources close to the matter say Conley is believed to be under investigation by the FBI.

Forbes also would not confirm that the officer was Conley but did say the accused officer is on leave from the department.

"Bad things happened to her because of his coercion and intimidation," Forbes said.

Dunbar police forwarded all questions on the matter to the Mayor's Office. Yeager could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Wonder when we are going to get that report about the sexual assault of Darla Piland down at Stillwell! David, have you had enough time yet to get the report?

I for one am quite disgusted with Dave Jonese not handling this situation. This is like someone saying that just because they don't like Lester and figure his woman friend is the same that she deserved to be manhandled! Dave Jonese, you are a disgusting pig for allowing this to happen and to not allow the COURTS to decide if the police officer is in the wrong or not. I'll make sure not to vote on someone who supports sexual deviences within their department next time either. Keep voting the sheriff out until we get one who gives a D A M N about the women in this county.

What I can't understand is why DAvid can't see this from the woman's point of view! What is wrong with at least taking it to the grand jury and let them decide. Is DAvid afraid to do that?