Post by WaTcHeR on Mar 14, 2006 10:43:43 GMT -5
03/14/2006 - BELMONT COUNTY, OH -- A former Belmont County Sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of justice Monday.
According to the Belmont County sheriff's chief investigator, Don Nippert, an internal investigation found that the officer leaked sensitive information connected to an ongoing case.
Nippert said the officer has been fired, but he said investigators are not releasing the name of the officer at this time. Nippert said the case against the former deputy is connected to other open investigations in Belmont County.
The officer is now required to give up any law enforcement certificates, which means the former deputy will not be allowed to work in law enforcement again.
"No officer in this county is above the law," said Nippert. "People in law enforcement are held to higher standards, and when you get into law enforcement you know there are some things you can't do. When you go beyond the boundaries and lose your law enforcement certificate, that's just the way it is."
The judge also sentenced the officer to a year of probation.
According to the Belmont County sheriff's chief investigator, Don Nippert, an internal investigation found that the officer leaked sensitive information connected to an ongoing case.
Nippert said the officer has been fired, but he said investigators are not releasing the name of the officer at this time. Nippert said the case against the former deputy is connected to other open investigations in Belmont County.
The officer is now required to give up any law enforcement certificates, which means the former deputy will not be allowed to work in law enforcement again.
"No officer in this county is above the law," said Nippert. "People in law enforcement are held to higher standards, and when you get into law enforcement you know there are some things you can't do. When you go beyond the boundaries and lose your law enforcement certificate, that's just the way it is."
The judge also sentenced the officer to a year of probation.