UPDATED II: Chief Deputy Stratton no longer employed at HCSO; potential criminal misconduct under investigation
Brandon Stratton
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
After recently being placed on paid administrative leave twice in one week, former Highland County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Brandon Stratton is no longer an employee of the HCSO, Sheriff Donnie Barrera told The Highland County Press on March 21.
According to the sheriff, Stratton's employment has been terminated, pending ongoing investigations. The sheriff said he could not comment further.
In a letter dated March 20 to Stratton and copied to Highland County Human Resources Director Amy Bradley and Highland County Auditor Alex Butler, Barrera informed Stratton: "There has been an investigation initiated by my office regarding potential criminal misconduct on your part. I relieve you of your duties and inform you that you are no longer employed by the Highland County Sheriff's Office effective March 20, 2024. I direct that you return all county property you may have to the Sheriff's Office on or before two weeks from the date of this letter."
As reported on March 16, the Highland County Sheriff's Office had received a Citizen Complaint Form submitted by former Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward. Following a public records request, the HCSO made the information available to The Highland County Press.
In the form submitted last week, Ward responded to a report by another newspaper based on a reporter's interview with Stratton and volunteer HCSO special deputy Tom Horst. Horst is a retired county sheriff. Stratton was running for sheriff against Randy Sanders, a race in which unofficial totals show Sanders receiving 4,175 votes, while Stratton received 2,226, unofficially. Both candidates appeared on the Republican primary ballot. No Democratic candidates filed for the sheriff’s race.
In his complaint, Ward alleges "conduct unbecoming of an officer."
Ward is requesting an investigation, proper disciplinary action and a public apology.
Ward alleges that both Stratton and Horst on March 12 made appointments with The Highland County Press and another newspaper and "gave patently false information to both papers, in a purposeful effort to damage my reputation and damage the Sanders for Sheriff campaign, in which I am chairman. The information they provided is without merit or truth. The interview with {another paper} was published online and later taken down after it was learned to be false."
The false information in question was not published in The Highland County Press, which also reported the false information to the other paper's owner.
"It is imperative that a peace officer be truthful at all times, whether on duty or off duty, and conduct such as this cannot be tolerated by the sheriff," Ward said. "I request an investigation into this matter and appropriate discipline be handed out by the sheriff and a formal public apology be issued in an effort to repair damage to my reputation in this community in which I live, work and serve."
Prior to the primary election, Barrera informed The Highland County Press that effective Tuesday afternoon March 12, Stratton was placed – again – on administrative leave, after being fully reinstated earlier in the same day.
For background, visit:
https://highlandcountypress.com/news/citizens-complaint-issued-against-…
and
https://highlandcountypress.com/news/updated-chief-deputy-brandon-strat…
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Comment
Innocent Until Proven Guilty Is Still The Law In USA
FYI. I believe the social media keyboard warriors should understand this. I supported Mr. Stratton with a campaign contribution. Also others since 2018. All public records. Some while a California resident. Both Democrats and Republicians. After speaking or communicating with each candidate at the time, I exercized my right to provide monetary support. As memory serves me, each candidate was quizzed in most cases with difficult questions. And I will continue to do so. I may be out of Highland County currently, but being a land owner there, "I have a dog in the race" as the saying goes. I also have supported the anti industrial solar power movement. A real fiasco impacting the neighbors. Abandoned by their elected officials who only saw more revenue. Not any negative impacts were adequately addressed. Contact me when the unpaid PILOT payments are in the bank. There are many other fiasco's pending based on State of Ohio Audits still ongoing. May 24th is the deadline now. The findings as I understand will rock the boat big time tossing some people into shark invested waters. The taxpayers are the sharks.
Mayercomments@gmail.com.
Informed voter
David, You could have asked someone with extensive knowledge of each candidates' integrity and experience in law enforcement. Or just ask anyone about the who has had results in the realm of local criminal justice.
Confidential Conversations. Trust And Integrity.
Matthew. For your information, never assume I looked at only one side of this race nor who I have communicated with before the election day. People I communicate with often correct me if I am misinformed. I have earned their trust and they in turn trust my integrity. In turn, the few elected officials I communicate with have been honest with me. They also know public records are available to anyone. And those records are generally accurate. At the suggestion of Anneka Collins, I met Mr.Sanders at a meet and great event and I also spoke to Ron Ward, his campaign manager at this event about the race and another Highland County issue I have followed since March, 2021. Social media has been more speculation than publicly available fact. Rumors abound. With low voter turnout, it is just loud whining noise. The public should be patient.
Finally, I have stated before, people who use an alias have zero credibility with me. Put up or shut up.
Alias?
David, I don't use an alias for this. I don't get my information from social media or talking to the candidates, and other officials, only once or twice. On many occasions in the past, I have worked with Sanders, Stratton, Ward and Collins in the local criminal justice system out in the field. I know that's not the same as a "meet and greet", but I'm totally satisfied I supported the right candidate. Good luck at shutting me up.
2,226
I'm sure at least 2,222 primary voters are not happy now with the ballot they cast, since the details of recent events led to the termination of employment of one of the candidates.