News
Meigs County Deputy Resigns Amid Gun Theft Allegations
By: Sarah Hawley | Athens Messenger staff reporter
Posted on:
A Meigs County Sheriff’s Office deputy indicted last month in Athens County for allegedly stealing a firearm has resigned from his position.
Brody Davis, 26, of Pomeroy, submitted his resignation on Wednesday, according to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood.
Wood stated that Davis regretfully resigned from the position. He was hired in February 2011.
Wood declined to comment further on the matter.
Davis was charged in Athens County Common Pleas Court in May with robbery, grand theft when property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, tampering with records and dereliction of duty. All charges are felonies with the exception of dereliction of duty, which is a second-degree misdemeanor.
He remains free after posting bond, which was set at $30,000 with 10 percent permitted.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said on Wednesday that there was no new information on the case, which, according to court documents, is set for a jury trial on July 16.
According to the indictment, Davis allegedly took a Savage Model 64, .22 caliber pistol owned by Charles Hudnall on or about May 9, 2014. The robbery charge carries a firearm specification which could add a year to any imposed prison sentence if Davis is convicted.
Davis is also alleged to have falsified a police report, knowing that he was facilitating a fraud against Hudnall. The offense of dereliction of duty alleges that as a law enforcement officer Davis negligently failed to perform a lawful duty in a criminal case or proceeding.
According to previous Messenger reports, the charges stem from a case that originated in Meigs County that Davis was investigating in Athens County. At the time of the incident, a stolen vehicle from Meigs County was located in Athens County and Davis came to retrieve the vehicle.
A news release by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office following the indictment of Davis stated that the office received a citizen’s complaint on an officer with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office in reference to an allegation of misconduct and theft. Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney Colleen Williams was contacted in regards to these allegations and the decision was made for an outside agency to investigate the criminal allegations and an internal investigation would be conducted by in-house staff as well.
Davis has been on paid administrative leave through the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office since April 22.