Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against his stepson and two other men who have been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl at Wood’s home.

The announcement came in a press release from the city this afternoon, which stated Sgt. Gary Ray would be the acting police chief.

City Administrator Silas Clarke told the Plaindealer he decided late last week to place Wood on administrative leave, then met with Wood on Monday after the chief returned from vacation. He declined to identify the exact reasons why he took that action. Wood will continue to receive compensation during this time.

Clarke confirmed there is no specific date when Wood’s administrative leave would end and he would resume his duties as police chief. That conceivably means Wood will be on leave until the criminal charges are dropped, the men charged in the case have pleaded guilty and been sentenced or the cases have gone to trial and a jury has found them guilty or not guilty.

Wood’s stepson, 18-year-old Nate Dieffenderffer, 18-year-old Ashton Whittington and 20-year-old Gabriel Trujillo have each been charged with felony sexual assault in connection with the alleged sexual assault. The accuser in the case has told investigators she was raped multiple times at Wood’s house in May 2023 while the chief and his family slept.

Some in the community have called for Wood’s resignation in the aftermath of the arrests in the alleged sex assault case. He has not made any public statements regarding the case, which has just started in the judicial system. Sexual assault cases can take years to reach a resolution through trial in the Seventh Judicial District.

The Plaindealer attempted to contact Wood on Monday afternoon but was not able to reach him for comment.