SOUTH CHARLESTON Indictments announced in the case of a Chapmanville Police K-9 missing nearly four months.
Kanawha County Grand Jury indicted former Chapmanville Police Officer Marcus Dudley on Thursday. Total of six indictments handed down by grand jury includes three counts falsely reporting an emergency, two counts making false statements and obstructing an officer and one count misdemeanor animal cruelty, according to the South Charleston Police.
Dudley was the handler for Chapmanville Police K9 Chase. The dog has been missing since April eleventh. Dudley reported the dog escaped his South Charleston front yard after tethering the dog to answer nature’s call.
The dog has not been seen since. Dudley was relieved of his duty and no longer an employee with the Chapmanville Police Department.
The South Charleston Police Department has said there were inconsistencies with Dudley’s story.
“The South Charleston Police Department conducted an extensive investigation into the disappearance of police canine Chase,” a statement from the department reads. “The investigation was presented to the Kanawha County Grand Jury, who returned an indictment against Marcus Dudley. SCPD has received a tremendous amount of community support and assistance in its efforts to find Chase. Unfortunately, he has yet to be located. However, SCPD remains committed to finding Chase.”
Chapmanville Police Chief Allan Browning released a statement to News 13.
“From day one, the Town of Chapmanville and Chapmanville Police Department have cooperated with South Charleston Police Department in the investigation of our missing K-9, Chase," the statement said. "The Town and its police department are hopeful that the actions of the Kanawha County Grand Jury will help to shed light on this unfortunate situation and ultimately obtain justice for Chase.”
Dudley is reportedly no longer living in the South Charleston area or the state and is not currently in custody, according to police.
K9 Chase has not been found.