KINGWOOD — A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday for the mayor of Terra Alta, who is accused of damaging telecommunications at city hall three months ago.
Robert DeLauder, 55, was charged last week.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Preston Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Snyder III, on the evening of June 3 or morning of June 4, DeLauder damaged the Prodigi box inside a closet connected to the council chambers.
He allegedly removed the power line and damaged the phone wiring block, interrupting phone and internet service that night. A video shows DeLauder was the only person in the building that night, according to the complaint.
The charge is a felony. A preliminary hearing is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Preston County Magistrate Court. Magistrate Eugene Jenkins, who was to preside at the hearing, asked to be recused from the case, so Magistrate Bo Ward is to preside.
Earlier this year, Snyder filed two other charges against the mayor. In June, Snyder charged DeLauder with “alteration, concealment or destruction of public record” for allegedly removing a meeting agenda from the door of town hall and throwing it away.
In early August, Snyder charged DeLauder with false swearing and perjury, saying the mayor falsified his request for a public defender.
Both are misdemeanors and still pending. DeLauder is free on bond.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
