If you’ve spent any time in Monongalia County, you know the vibe is usually about football and the hills. But for a while, everyone was talking about one name: Lance Kuretza. Specifically, what went down in a hotel room back in 2018. It’s a story that basically has everything—body cam footage, federal indictments, a high-stakes trial, and a verdict that left plenty of people in West Virginia scratching their heads.
Honestly, the details are kinda messy. You have a deputy sheriff, a guy asleep in a Residence Inn, and a struggle that ended with pepper spray and handcuffs. For years, this case hung over Morgantown like a cloud. It wasn't just a local squabble; the Department of Justice got involved. When the feds step in, you know it’s serious.
People often get the ending mixed up, or they only remember the initial arrest. To understand why Lance Kuretza West Virginia still shows up in search bars, you have to look at the timeline. It’s not just about one night; it’s about five years of legal warfare.
The Night at the Residence Inn
It was January 20, 2018. Monongalia County deputies, including Lance Kuretza, responded to a disturbance call at a Morgantown hotel. There were reports of a fight and a possible firearm. Standard stuff for a Saturday night, right? Well, not exactly.
While clearing out one room of intoxicated people, the deputies learned about another guy, Quintin Graciano, who was asleep in a separate room. Here is where things get blurry. Graciano wasn't part of the initial disturbance. He was just... sleeping.
Kuretza and another deputy entered the room. Body cam footage—at least the part that stayed on—shows them tapping Graciano's feet and shining lights in his face. Graciano wakes up. He starts flailing. In his mind, he’s being attacked by strangers. In the deputies' minds, they’re dealing with a resisting suspect who might have a gun.
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The Struggle and the "Problem Solver"
As the struggle moved from the bed to the bathroom, Kuretza's camera shut off. This happens sometimes in scuffles, but it never looks good in court.
- The Punch: Kuretza admitted to punching Graciano in the face.
- The Struggle: Three deputies were eventually involved in pinning him down.
- The Quote: On another deputy's body cam, Kuretza was allegedly heard calling his pepper spray the "problem solver."
Graciano claimed he was pleading for them to stop. He said he didn't even realize they were cops until they were dragging him to the cruiser. He thought he was being robbed or killed. After the dust settled, Graciano walked away with injuries that took six months to heal.
The Federal Indictment of Lance Kuretza
For a long time, nothing happened. Then, in August 2022, the hammer dropped. The U.S. Justice Department unsealed a two-count indictment against Lance Kuretza West Virginia.
The charges were heavy. One count for violating Graciano's civil rights (excessive force) and one count for falsifying a report. The feds alleged that Kuretza pepper-sprayed Graciano after he was already handcuffed and then lied about it in his paperwork to make it look legal.
If convicted, he was looking at up to 30 years. That’s a lifetime. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office put him on paid administrative leave, and the FBI took over the investigation. It’s rare for a local use-of-force case to go federal, but the "problem solver" comment and the report discrepancies caught their eye.
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The Verdict: Why the Jury Said Not Guilty
The trial happened in July 2023 in Wheeling. It lasted four days. Ten witnesses testified. The jury deliberated for nine hours.
In the end? Not guilty on all counts. How? Well, it came down to "perception." Kuretza’s defense argued that the deputies were in a high-adrenaline situation with reports of a firearm. They argued that the force used was necessary to subue a resisting subject. The jury seemingly agreed that the government didn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Kuretza acted with "willful" intent to violate civil rights.
Even though Graciano had already won a $175,000 settlement in a civil lawsuit, the criminal bar is much higher. In a civil case, you just need a "preponderance of evidence." In criminal court, you need "beyond a reasonable doubt." That gap is where Kuretza's legal team won.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Case
You’ll hear people say Kuretza was fired. He wasn't. After the acquittal, Sheriff Perry Palmer met with him to discuss his status. He remained an employee and was eligible to return to duty if he met training requirements.
Another misconception is that the body cam showed everything. It didn't. The most critical moments happened while Kuretza's camera was dark. That lack of evidence cut both ways, but ultimately it favored the defense.
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Lastly, some think the settlement meant he was guilty. It doesn't. Monongalia County's insurance often settles civil suits to avoid the massive cost of a trial, regardless of whether the deputy did something wrong.
Actionable Insights for West Virginia Residents
If you’re following cases like Lance Kuretza West Virginia, there are a few things you can actually do to stay informed or protect your rights:
- Understand the Difference in Courts: A "not guilty" in criminal court does not mean "innocent" in the way people think—it means the state didn't meet the burden of proof. Civil settlements happen separately and focus on damages, not jail time.
- Monitor Body Cam Policies: This case highlighted how easily cameras can "malfunction" or be turned off. Check the local Monongalia County Sheriff's Department policies on body cam usage and storage.
- Know Your Rights: If you are ever in a situation with law enforcement, knowing the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable search and seizure) is vital.
- Public Meetings: The Monongalia County Commission oversees the sheriff's budget. If you have concerns about training or use-of-force protocols, those public meetings are where your voice actually has a paper trail.
The Lance Kuretza story is basically a masterclass in how complicated police work and the legal system become when they collide in a hotel room at 2:00 AM. It’s over now, legally speaking, but the conversation about how West Virginia deputies use force isn't going away anytime soon.
To stay updated on local law enforcement oversight in the Morgantown area, you should regularly check the Monongalia County Commission’s meeting minutes. You can also look up the West Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards (LEPS) Program to see how training requirements are changing in response to federal scrutiny.