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Sheriff
terminates deputy after Sexual Battery charges filed
By Ryan Berry
GREENVILLE – Former Darke County Auxiliary Sheriff Deputy Bryan
Wombolt, 27, of Versailles, had served the Darke County Sheriff’s
Patrol since September 2012 and pledged to uphold the law. His pledge
and the trust Darke County residents placed in him was shattered on
Feb. 27 when he was arrested on four counts of Sexual Battery. The
incident allegedly occurred with a high school student.
Darke County Sheriff Toby Spencer expressed his regret regarding the
situation shortly after Wombolt’s arrest, stating his main concern was
the victim and the victim’s family. He also conceded Wombolt’s actions
hurt the reputation of the current men and women serving the Darke
County Sheriff’s Department.
Spencer laid out the groundwork for Wombolt’s termination as a deputy.
On Feb. 26, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Miami
County Sheriff’s Office that a Darke County Auxiliary Deputy was
involved in a domestic dispute in Bradford. A supervisor was dispatched
to the scene to meet with Miami County Deputies. During the course of
the investigation, allegations were made that Wombolt had engaged in an
inappropriate relationship with a high school student. The Greenville
Police Department was contacted and requested to conduct an
investigation into the allegations.
Sheriff Spencer said, “The criminal investigation by the Greenville
Police Department and the internal administrative investigation of the
Darke County Sheriff’s Office are separate investigations.” At the
conclusion of the sheriff’s department investigation, it was determined
Wombolt violated several policies and procedures and was terminated.
“The Darke County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate the actions of
this person and he has been disciplined appropriately. He was placed in
a position of public trust and this trust was violated.”
According to the disciplinary report released by the Sheriff’s Office,
Wombolt was terminated for: 1) Soliciting or accepting a gift,
gratuity, bribe, or reward for the private use of the employee, or
otherwise using one’s position, identification, name, photograph or
title for the personal gain, or otherwise violating the Employer’s Code
of Conduct or Ohio’s ethics laws for public employees. 2) Violation of
any laws, which the employee is responsible to enforce in his capacity
as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office. 3) Any conduct which brings
discredit to the Sheriff’s Office or the employee as a public employee.
The disciplinary report given to Wombolt at his termination, states,
“The facts in this case have been reviewed along with your admissions
to the Greenville Police Department that you engaged in a sexual
relationship with a high school student that y0u met and started
communicating with as a result of your duty as a Deputy Sheriff.” Chief
Deputy Mark Whittaker noted Wombolt did not make any comments during
his termination.
Immediately following his termination, the Greenville Police Department
took Wombolt into custody at the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. He is
currently incarcerated at the Preble County Jail awaiting a bond
hearing. Sheriff Spencer noted he was transferred to Preble County so
he would not have an opportunity to speak badly of the victim. He said,
“The Darke County Sheriff’s Office deeply regrets what has occurred
here. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim and family involved
in this matter. We will do whatever is necessary to support them.”
He continued, “We support and strongly encourage the aggressive
prosecution of Bryan Wombolt to the fullest extent of the law. He has
violated the trust of our community’s most precious citizens and will
be held accountable for his actions. The staff of this office is just
as disgusted with the actions of this officer as the rest of the
community.”
Wombolt is a graduate of Ansonia Local Schools and the Edison Community
College Police Academy. At the time of his hire with the Darke County
Sheriff’s Patrol he was in the Army Reserves and served as an Army
Military Policeman.
The Darke County Sheriff’s Patrol is a volunteer organization and its
members have full arresting powers. They provide service for local
athletic events and the Darke County Fair. Each Patrol member is
required to donate eight hours a month of road work to the Darke County
Sheriff’s Office. Spencer said, “There’s not a one of them I don’t
trust and one of them has violated that trust. We will have to do
everything we possibly can to re-earn the public’s trust because of
this one incident.”
Published courtesy
of Blue Bag Media
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