WHEELING, W.Va. -- 

 A Wheeling police officer facing sexual assault charges has been fired.

City Manager Robert Herron said he decided to terminate 31-year-old Matthew Kotson's employment on Friday.

Herron said the decision followed a meeting with Kotson and Police Chief Robert Matheny. At the meeting, they discussed a domestic violence protective order filed against Kotson on Nov. 24. Also discussed was an incident during which Kotson allegedly drove a police cruiser without a license. Kotson was charged in an off-duty incident with driving without insurance and his license was suspended.

Kotson has been on the force for eight years.

The case began when a woman said Kotson sexually abused her on Thanksgiving. West Virginia State Police arrested him on Dec. 1 near St. Vincent de Paul School in Elm Grove.

According to a criminal complaint, Kotson is accused of engaging in "sexual intrusion with another person without the person's consent, and the lack of consent results from forcible compulsion."

During the investigation, police interviewed several women who had relationships with Kotson. The complaint states, "All of the females interviewed expressed the defendant's persistent and aggressive sexual advances on different occasions."

At the time of Kotson's arrest, Matheny said Kotson had been placed on unpaid leave and was the subject of  "disciplinary procedures."

Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith recused himself from the case and officials said a special prosecutor will be appointed. Kotson was arraigned by Magistrate Patty Murphy and remains free after posting $40,000 bond.

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