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Ex-Officer Charged with Civil Rights Offenses in West Virginia
A former West Virginia police officer and firefighter has been charged with civil rights offenses in a shocking case of abuse of power. Christopher Osborne, 25, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Charleston for his alleged roles in sexually assaulting a 16-year-old minor female while acting under color of law; destroying a 49-year-old woman’s property without lawful justification; using fire to commit a felony; and making false statements to investigators.
According to court documents, Osborne’s alleged crimes include two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, one count of using fire to commit a felony, and one count of witness tampering. The indictment alleges that in January 2021, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, resulting in bodily injury to her. The offense included aggravated sexual abuse, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping, and attempted kidnapping.
The second count alleges that in November 2019, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he destroyed the property and dwelling of a 49-year-old woman without lawful justification, and this offense included the use and attempted use of fire. The third count alleges that this conduct also constituted using a fire to commit a felony. The fourth count alleges that Osborne knowingly engaged in misleading conduct toward investigators with the intent to hinder a federal investigation by falsely denying engaging in any sexual contact or sexual act with his 16-year-old victim.
The charges carry significant penalties, with the first count carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the second count carrying a maximum penalty of ten years, the third count carrying a mandatory penalty of ten years, and the fourth count carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, with support from the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia State Fire Marshals. The prosecution will be handled by Trial Attorney Kathryn E. Gilbert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Julie White for the Southern District of West Virginia.
If you have any information about Christopher Osborne, please contact the FBI’s Charleston Resident Agency at 304-346-2300.
It is essential to note that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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