| Former
town cop charged with assault
By Eric Beidel - Staff Writer, The Fauquier Citizen
A former Town of Warrenton policeman faces assault and
battery charges for allegedly kicking a man during a
traffic stop last year.
State police investigators allege Steven Chad Brubaker,
26, kicked James Andre Minor, of Marshall, after stopping
the 28-year-old for a traffic violation.
The alleged assault occurred April 24, 2004.
A town police cruiser video camera recorded the incident,
according to a summons filed Feb. 18 in Fauquier General
District Court. The video shows Mr. Brubaker kicking
Mr. Minor twice, according to court records.
State police charged Mr. Brubaker, currently a county
sheriff's deputy, on two counts of misdemeanor assault
and battery. Investigators would not say whether Mr.
Minor suffered any injury in the assault.
The investigation started Sept. 23 at the request of
the Warrenton Police Department, according to state
police Sgt. F.L. Tyler.
Mr. Brubaker left the police department Nov. 23, seven
months after the alleged assault.
A resident of The Plains, Mr. Brubaker worked for three
years at the town police department. He started as a
sheriff's deputy Nov. 26, three days after leaving the
town department.
Sheriff Charlie Ray Fox removed Deputy Brubaker from
patrol duty after state police placed the charges. The
deputy continues to perform clerical duties at the sheriff's
office, Lt. Col. Dave Flohr said.
Mr. Brubaker's father, Stephen, also works as a deputy
at the sheriff's office.
Warrenton Police Chief Roger Paul declined to comment.
Town Capt. Allen Cubbage would say only that Mr. Brubaker
left the police department on his own accord. Contradicting
state police, Capt. Cubbage maintained that town police
did not request the investigation.
Police arrested Mr. Minor three times for domestic disputes,
according to court documents. Three times, he failed
to show up for court.
Fauquier County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Parker in
December sentenced Mr. Minor to four months in jail
for a felony assault and battery of a family member.
He remains in the Winchester regional jail.
Mr. Brubaker will appear in Fauquier General District
Court at 9 a.m. Monday, March 14.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 12
months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
Culpeper County Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Close will
serve as the special prosecutor in Mr. Brubaker's case.
http://www.citizenet.com/news/articles/030305/law-order1.shtml
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