Utah police chief fired amid stalking charges

MYTON, Utah (AP) — The chief of a recently formed police department in the tiny eastern Utah town of Myton has been fired amid allegations he stalked three women.

Thomas Butterfield was fired Friday, two weeks after he was charged with five misdemeanors, including stalking, criminal trespass and unlawful detention.

Court documents don’t describe the alleged crimes, but say three women were victims. Butterfield has previously denied the allegations.

Mayor Kathleen Cooper declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his termination.

The police department was organized July 1 to serve the town’s 500 to 600 residents, and Butterfield was its only full-time employee.

A part-time employee has been appointed interim chief while a search for a replacement is conducted.

Cooper told the Deseret News that there are no plans to disband the department.

___

Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up