MOUNDSVILLE – A former Moundsville fire chief, fired in late April, has been charged with alleged possession of child sex abuse materials. Those charges, authorities said, came during an investigation into other allegations made against him.

Gary Brandon, 48, appeared before Judge Thomas Wood in Marshall County Magistrate Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to one count of distributing or exhibiting visual portrayal of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct or computer-generated pornography. He posted a $2,500 bond and was released from the Northern Regional Jail.

Brandon is slated to appear before Wood for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. June 25. His attorney is Braden Noon.

“It began as an investigation into other allegations concerning Gary Brandon by the Moundsville Police Department,” Marshall County Prosecutor Joe Canestraro said on Monday of the case. “Once they found child pornography via a search warrant, they handed the case over to the West Virginia State Police.”

He noted the “other allegations” were regarding theft; however, the theft allegations are still under investigation and related charges have not been filed.

Brandon was fired from his position with the Moundsville City Fire Department in April after city officials revealed he was under investigation on unspecified charges.

Canestraro said about eight images were allegedly discovered on a computer in Brandon’s office at the fire department. Brandon could not be reached for comment at press time. His attorney was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

After Brandon’s firing, Kevin Kimple, who had been serving as assistant chief, was named acting fire chief for the city fire department.

Brandon had worked for the department for 18 years before his employment was terminated. He had been sworn in as chief in 2018.