MYTON, Duchesne County — Myton's new police chief is the subject of a misdemeanor stalking investigation.
Thomas Wade Butterfield, 44, was charged Tuesday in 8th District Court with three counts of stalking and one count of criminal trespass, class A misdemeanors; and one count of unlawful detention, a class B misdemeanor.
Three women are named as victims in the case, according to court documents. Two of the women filed civil stalking injunctions against Butterfield on Tuesday, which the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office confirmed were served to the police chief.
Details of the alleged stalking, trespassing and detention were unknown Tuesday.
The Myton Police Department was organized July 1 and Butterfield is its only employee. Myton is a town of between 500 and 600 residents about 10 miles south or Roosevelt.
Myton Mayor Kathleen Cooper said it was too soon to comment on the case, which is under review by the city's attorney, and expressed her support for Butterfield. Cooper said she could not confirm Butterfield's employment status.
Butterfield said Tuesday that the charges are "absolutely unfounded and I am innocent," but he declined further comment.
The sheriff's office confirmed in a statement Tuesday that an investigation is underway but referred questions to Myton City. Investigators asked anyone who may have information in the case to call 435-738-2015.
— McKenzie Romero