December 11, 2008
Trooper accused of rape resigns
State Police continue criminal investigation
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia State Police officer accused of rape by a Charleston woman has resigned.

Trooper Derek S. Snavely resigned from the department Friday, said Lt. Col. Steve Tucker.

Col. David Lemmon confirmed that the personnel investigation into Snavely was complete but that the criminal investigation is ongoing.

The woman alleges she was drunk and was forced to have sex with Snavely last month after he followed her to a friend's house where she was staying.

She and her lawyer, Mike Clifford, showed a Gazette reporter part of a videotape that apparently shows the woman and a man wearing a State Police uniform inside the woman's residence.

"I think it's appropriate," Clifford said of Snavely's resignation. "I also surmise that the officer was given the choice between resigning and being fired."

Snavely had been on restrictive duty pending the outcome of the investigations.

Clifford said he has been in contact with the State Police about civil remedies to the case and is waiting to see the result of the criminal investigation.

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