BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Raleigh County man is facing a charge of first-degree sexual abuse following allegations of inappropriate contact with a nurse at the FMRS Crisis Unit in Beckley.
According to a criminal complaint, officers responded to the FMRS facility on Withrow Loop on March 8, 2025, after receiving a complaint about a sexual assault.
The victim, a nurse at the facility, reported that a patient, 38-year-old Richard Savage of Shady Spring, had inappropriately touched her and made derogatory comments toward both staff and other patients.
The victim stated that she had been instructed by her administration to contact law enforcement regarding Savage’s behavior. He had been at FMRS for approximately five days at the time of the alleged incident.
Savage was escorted from the facility after staff decided he should be removed.
When police questioned Savage about the accusations, he denied any inappropriate behavior.
He admitted that his hand had accidentally brushed against a nurse’s pants leg while his blood pressure was being checked but insisted he had never groped anyone or made inappropriate comments.
Staff at FMRS informed police that Savage suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has a history of narcotics abuse.
Upon further investigation, the victim provided a written statement describing the incident in detail. She stated that she was performing a drug screening for Savage when he knocked on the nurse’s station door.
After she opened it, Savage allegedly grabbed her breast and said, “Thank you, [nurse’s name].”
The victim said she stepped back to avoid him, at which point he attempted to reach for her private area. However, she was able to close the door before he could make further contact.
The victim also reported that Savage continued to behave inappropriately in the following days, repeatedly touching her buttocks and breasts, despite being told to stop.
She added that Savage would also make inappropriate sexual comments and laugh about them.
Savage was arrested and charged on Monday with sexual abuse in the first degree. He is currently out on bond.
