The Deschutes County district attorney has filed domestic violence charges against an Oregon State Police captain at the center of a criminal investigation.
District Attorney John Hummel charged Oregon State Police Cpt. William Fugate with two counts of harassment constituting domestic violence. The charges are based on incidents that occurred with his then-wife at Fugate's home.
Hummel says he reviewed five other domestic violence allegations against Fugate. But he says the statute of limitations on those allegations has expired.
“Unfortunately, domestic violence is far too common in our community. People are abused by people they love in rural and urban areas," Hummel said in a statement.
OSP said it will move Fugate to an unpaid leave status while it investigates the domestic violence.
"Abusers and victims are rich and poor. Prominent and obscure people equally hurt their significant others. Survivors of domestic violence often feel trapped and helpless regardless of their resources," Hummel said. "These allegations against William Fugate are similar to hundreds of domestic violence cases my office prosecutes every year. We need to re-double our efforts to protect women from abusive partners.”
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office opened a criminal investigation into Fugate in March, and OSP will carry out a concurrent personnel investigation now that he's been charged.
"While Captain Fugate is entitled to due process, the Oregon State Police strongly condemns acts of domestic violence," OSP Superintendent Travis Hampton said in a statement. "Employees that engage in these actions have no place in law enforcement."
Fugate is an 11-year veteran of the OSP whose most recent position was as the agency’s public information officer.
The charges are based on incidents alleged to have occurred on May 22 and June 15 of 2017.
Fugate’s initial court appearance is set for July 10.
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