Ex-WV Firefighter Gets Prison for Raping Minor in Bunkroom

For the next 14 years, a former West Virginia firefighter and police officer will be behind bars for raping a teen in the bunkroom of a fire station.

Christopher Osborne, 26, admitted to violating the teen's civil rights by forcibly raping her at the Danville Volunteer Fire Department, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice which handled the case in federal court.

"Specifically, Osborne admitted that the victim told him that she did not want to have sex, but he held her down and sexually assaulted her anyway, causing her pain and injury," the statement read.

In addition to being a firefighter in Danville and Charleston, he also was a part-time police officer with the Marmet Police Department when the 2021 incident occurred.

He was a rookie firefighter with the Charleston Fire Department and was terminated after they were made aware that he faced two counts of second-degree assault stemming from other incidents.

Prosecutors lauded the 16-year-old for her bravery.

“This result is a testament to the courage of the victim who came forward to tell her story,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to seek justice for such victims, and to hold accountable perpetrators who abuse their authority to target the vulnerable.”

In addition to prison, he will have to register as a sex offender and will be on supervised probation when he is released. 

“Mr. Osborne’s actions were inexcusable and appalling,” said Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Division. “The FBI will not stand by when people in positions of trust violate their oath and victimize innocent young children. Mr. Osborne abused his power and today’s sentence sends the message that we will continue to work to hold accountable public servants who fail the citizens of their community.”