Parkersburg police officer facing misdemeanor charges

Alleged offenses are unlawful restraint, domestic assault

PARKERSBURG -- A Parkersburg Police officer was arrested Friday morning after allegedly threatening his girlfriend and refusing to let her leave their residence.

Gary Lee Powers, 42, of 14th Avenue in Parkersburg was charged with misdemeanor counts of unlawful restraint and domestic assault. He was arraigned in Wood County Magistrate Court and released on a $2,000 personal recognizance bond.

According to a criminal complaint filed by a West Virginia State Police trooper, the incident in question occurred Wednesday and was reported Thursday afternoon.

Powers' girlfriend said he returned to the residence angry over a sarcastic text message she had sent, the complaint says. He "aggressively charged" her while she was sitting on the couch and her trained dog intervened in an attempt to protect her.

The woman said Powers drew his department-issued gun from its holster and pointed it at the dog. In a statement to the investigator Thursday at the Parkersburg Police Department, Powers denied that, saying he only moved his hand to the weapon.

His girlfriend placed the dog in another room and attempted to gather her suitcase to leave, the complaint says, but Powers allegedly made threats to harm himself and kill her if she left. At one point, she said, he refused to let her leave, grabbed her and shoved her. He allegedly brandished another gun and knife at her.

In his interview, Powers admitted being angry but denied anything other than incidental contact and said he made no threats against his girlfriend or himself.

She eventually went to sleep, fearing for her life, the complaint said. She said Powers was calm in the morning and did not understand why she was upset. He said in the interview that she acted normally the next morning and he did not know anything was wrong until he was served with a domestic violence protective order.

Powers is being represented by attorney Bill Merriman. Merriman said Friday that his client has cooperated with the investigation and turned himself in Friday morning.

"He's maintained his innocence in this matter," Merriman said.

Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin said the department began its own investigation Thursday, as soon s it was notified of the situation.

"He (Powers) has been removed from duty, and he's currently on (paid) administrative leave, pending the outcome of that (criminal) investigation and an internal investigation," Martin said.

He declined to comment further on the situation.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.