LINCOLN COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Lincoln County man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he threatened his grandfather and a police officer during a confrontation over a temporary child custody order.
According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a dispute involving Sam Vaughan, who claimed his grandfather, Albert Adkins, was refusing to return his child.
During the investigation, officers spoke with Adkins, who provided a Temporary Protection Order signed by a Lincoln County magistrate on July 10, 2026, granting him temporary custody of the child and ordering Vaughan to have no contact until a scheduled court hearing on July 16.
As officers attempted to serve Vaughan with the court order, investigators say he became increasingly agitated.
According to the complaint, Vaughan allegedly stated, “If my kid doesn’t go home with me today, it will end badly.”
After officers informed him that the temporary custody order remained in effect, Vaughan allegedly began yelling profanities and became physically aggressive.
Police say Vaughan clenched his fists, bent over in an aggressive stance, grunted, and threatened to punch one of the responding officers.
Investigators also allege Vaughan repeatedly yelled, “I’ll kill him!” before running to a nearby brick wall and punching it so forcefully that his knuckles began bleeding.
Authorities say Vaughan then began walking quickly toward the apartment where his grandfather and the child were located while keeping his fists clenched.
Despite repeated commands to stop, Vaughan allegedly continued yelling and cursing in public and refused to allow officers to serve him with the court paperwork. According to the complaint, both Vaughan’s social worker and probation officer attempted to calm him down, but he continued to resist.
Vaughan was ultimately taken into custody and transported to the West Virginia State Police Hamlin Detachment for processing.
He has been charged with domestic assault, assault on a police officer, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.
The charges are allegations, and Vaughan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
