CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- FBI agents are studying physical evidence linked to the alleged November rape of a 22-year-old Logan County woman by three law enforcement officers.

Three Logan County sheriff's deputies and one former Chapmanville police officer allegedly were involved in the incident. The woman claims three of the officers raped her and the fourth was there but drunk and throwing up.

"We are definitely looking into it," said Jay Bartholomew, supervisory special agent with the FBI in Charleston.

The FBI investigates such cases, looking into whether someone's civil rights have been violated by a police officer abusing their power.

"Civil rights is a very high priority for us and we're going to investigate pretty much any allegation that comes along that has any substance to it," Bartholomew said.

FBI and other law enforcement agencies want these cases solved as much as the general public does, he said.

"There is nothing worse than a bad cop, nothing," Bartholomew said.

The alleged victim said three Logan County sheriff's deputies and a Chapmanville police officer took her to a secluded spot early on the morning of Sept. 7, where she was raped by three of the four men.

The woman told police she was with her boyfriend and another man at the Glitter Girls strip club in Logan. After they left, they drove a short distance before stopping the car along the side of the road under an overpass. She said she and her boyfriend got into a fight and he started walking away from the car.

According to the woman, officers came upon the scene and ended up taking the woman to a secluded spot, apparently along W.Va. 44 between Logan and Whitman, where they raped her.

After the alleged assaults, the four officers took the woman to a church parking lot near her home, where they dropped her off, she told police.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- FBI agents are studying physical evidence linked to the alleged November rape of a 22-year-old Logan County woman by three law enforcement officers.

Three Logan County sheriff's deputies and one former Chapmanville police officer allegedly were involved in the incident. The woman claims three of the officers raped her and the fourth was there but drunk and throwing up.

"We are definitely looking into it," said Jay Bartholomew, supervisory special agent with the FBI in Charleston.

The FBI investigates such cases, looking into whether someone's civil rights have been violated by a police officer abusing their power.

"Civil rights is a very high priority for us and we're going to investigate pretty much any allegation that comes along that has any substance to it," Bartholomew said.

FBI and other law enforcement agencies want these cases solved as much as the general public does, he said.

"There is nothing worse than a bad cop, nothing," Bartholomew said.

The alleged victim said three Logan County sheriff's deputies and a Chapmanville police officer took her to a secluded spot early on the morning of Sept. 7, where she was raped by three of the four men.

The woman told police she was with her boyfriend and another man at the Glitter Girls strip club in Logan. After they left, they drove a short distance before stopping the car along the side of the road under an overpass. She said she and her boyfriend got into a fight and he started walking away from the car.

According to the woman, officers came upon the scene and ended up taking the woman to a secluded spot, apparently along W.Va. 44 between Logan and Whitman, where they raped her.

After the alleged assaults, the four officers took the woman to a church parking lot near her home, where they dropped her off, she told police.

The three sheriff's deputies are still on duty, said Logan County Sheriff Eddie Hunter.

"If I felt that the public was in harm by them boys being out there, I would not have them out there," Hunter said. "As far as the investigation, I'll refer you to [Logan County Prosecuting Attorney] John Bennett."

Chapmanville Police Chief Elbert Vance previously has said the officer allegedly involved from his department no longer works there.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. R.D. Perry also investigated the alleged rape. He says he turned over his findings to the Logan County prosecutor months ago.

Bennett did not return repeated phone calls Friday.

All law enforcement agencies are cooperating with the FBI investigation, Bartholomew said.

If there is a serious allegation of police misconduct, the FBI always investigates, for civil rights violations, he said.

"At the end of the day, the Justice Department decides what to prosecute," Bartholomew said. "Take it for face value; if there is a serious allegation, we're looking into it."

Bartholomew said the FBI also is investigating allegations against Matthew Leavitt, the Montgomery police officer alleged to have beaten up Twan Reynolds at a 7-Eleven in September.

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 348-5163.