Final stalking charge dismissed against ex-police chief of small Utah town

All stalking charges have now been dismissed against an ex-police chief of a small Utah town who once was accused of following three different women.

Thomas Wade Butterfield, 46, was initially charged nearly two years ago with three counts of stalking, one count of criminal trespass and one count of unlawful detention — all misdemeanors.

A judge dismissed one count of stalking after finding there was insufficient evidence during a preliminary hearing last year, and in December a jury acquitted the former Myton police chief of stalking, criminal trespass and unlawful detention after hearing the alleged victim and others testify.

That left one final charge of stalking against a third woman still pending, but prosecutors last week asked for that charge to be dismissed, too. According to court filings, Deputy Duchesne County Attorney Grant Charles asked 8th District Judge Samuel Chiara to dismiss the case due to "the fact that a key witness's ability to participate at this time has been compromised."

The prosecutors involved in the case were out of the office this week and not available to elaborate.

Chiara dismissed the case on Tuesday.

Butterfield's attorney, Earl Xaiz, said his client was pleased with the outcome.

"He's happy to have this behind him," Xaiz said. "... It's been a long, long two years for him."

Butterfield — who became the first chief in the small Duchesne County community's newly formed police department in July 2014 — was charged in September 2014 and fired a month later during a meeting with the mayor.

The alleged encounters took place between June and September 2014.

Butterfield also gave up his police certification in the wake of the allegations, but Xaiz said he did not admit to any wrongdoing.

"He wasn't interested in law enforcement any longer," Xaiz said, adding that his client now does ranch work and shoes horses.

jmiller@sltrib.com