Deschutes County Sheriff's Office To Investigate OSP Captain

By Ericka Cruz Guevarra (OPB)
Portland, Ore. March 1, 2018 11:15 p.m.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has opened a criminal investigation into an Oregon State Police captain.

The investigation involves Cpt. William Fugate, an 11-year veteran of the Oregon State Police whose most recent position was as the agency’s public information officer.

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Fugate was placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 28 after OSP learned of the investigation initiated by the sheriff’s office. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s office says the investigation is not related to Fugate’s employment at OSP or his conduct while on-duty.

"This investigation involves a high-level commander in a professional law enforcement agency," said Sheriff L. Shane Nelson in a statement. "We are in the beginning stages of this investigation and want to balance transparency with our duty to protect the integrity of the investigation. We take these investigations seriously and will always do the right thing. In all criminal investigations, we respect our citizen's rights as we investigate to gather the facts."

The county sheriff's office will forward the findings of the investigation to Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, who will then decide whether to file criminal charges. Hummel declined to release information regarding the nature of the allegations.

If criminal charges are filed, Fugate will be placed on unpaid administrative leave.

"OSP has the utmost confidence in Sheriff Nelson and his investigators to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation," said Travis Hampton, the superintendent of the Oregon State Police in a statement.

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