CHARLESTON – A Dunbar police officer allegedly sexually harassed and assaulted a Kanawha County woman while on duty.
The plaintiff, identified only as J.R., filed her complaint in federal court against Chad Shafer. Shafer is being sued individually, and the Dunbar Police Department nor the city are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was having drinks at the Bucket, a bar and restaurant in Dunbar on March 29, 2022. Shafer also was there having dinner with other police officers. The complaint says he was on duty and in full uniform.
The plaintiff, who is 33, says Shafer was a client of hers when she was a massage therapist at a local chiropractor. She says she and Shafer had always been friendly and were friends on social media. She says he even helped dismiss a speeding ticket she once received.
“Defendant saw that plaintiff was there (at the Bucket) and messaged her on Snapchat that he could give her a ride home later if she needed one,” the complaint states. “Plaintiff did not respond. Later that evening, when the Bucket was closing, defendant Shafer approached plaintiff and told her that he was going to take her to her house. Plaintiff had been drinking and was intoxicated, so she took defendant Shafer up on the offer.”
The plaintiff says Shafer took her home in his Dunbar Police vehicle with his K-9 in the backseat. When they arrived, she says Shafer gave her a hug.
“Then, without warning, defendant attempted to kiss plaintiff and she turned her head away,” the complaint states. “Defendant grabbed plaintiff’s face and began kissing her and groping her. Defendant proceeded to put his hand in plaintiff’s pants and digitally penetrate her. Plaintiff attempted to push defendant’s hand away, but he kept going. Plaintiff was intoxicated and scared and did not know what to do.”
The plaintiff says she was able to get away from Shafer and went into her house, but she says Shafer followed her inside.
“Plaintiff collapsed onto her couch where she passed out,” the complaint states. “Plaintiff was woken up by defendant smacking her face with his penis. Defendant then stood over her in full police uniform while plaintiff was laying on her couch, grabbed her head and forced her to give him oral sex.”
She says Shafer then received a call on his radio and had to leave. But after the incident, she says Shafer began messaging her to make it appear he was watching and following her. She says Shafer showed up uninvited and in uniform at her home at least three times. Once, she says Shafer showed up at her home, turned the police lights on in his vehicle and said he wanted to give her son something.
The plaintiff says Shafer eventually left her along after she ignored his continued messages and unannounced appearances.
She accuses Shafer assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, outrageous conduct and of violating her Fourth and 14th Amendment rights. She seeks compensatory damages, general damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
Dunbar Police Chief Brian Oxley told WOWK-TV Shafer was placed on leave after the lawsuit was filed. Oxley also said Shafer has worked for the department for 15 years with no prior complaints.
Officers from the Dunbar Police Department also has been named in three excessive force lawsuits in the last two years. One was settled for $2 million, and the other two still are pending.
The plaintiff is being represented by Paul E. Stroebel of Stroebel & Stroebel in Charleston.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number 2:24-cv-00159