Ex-West Virginia Deputy Pleads Not Guilty to Wreck Charges

A former Berkeley County sheriff’s deputy has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a wreck after he left a strip club.

Media outlets report that Patrick D. Ware of Martinsburg entered his plea Monday in Berkeley County Circuit Court. His trial is set for March 18, 2014.

A grand jury indicted Ware earlier this month on charges of giving false information to state police, filing fraudulent insurance claims and driving under the influence.

The indictment says Ware was driving when his SUV wrecked on May 1 near Martinsburg. He’s accused of telling state police that his girlfriend was driving. He’s also accused of denying in statements to an insurance company that drinking or drug use was involved.

Sheriff Kenneth Lemaster and the county council’s attorney say Ware resigned Friday.