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Local News

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Former NB chief not charged

Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By JOY BROWN

staff writer

A former North Baltimore police chief, who admitted hitting a man the department had in custody three years ago, will not be criminally charged.

Wood County Special Prosecutor Paul Skaff said evidence on Gerald Perry II was presented to a Wood County grand jury last Wednesday, but no indictments were issued.

Perry was placed on paid leave last July following 10 allegations of job misconduct made by North Baltimore residents. A village investigation, aided by a private investigator from Toledo, resulted in Perry resigning in December as part of a settlement with the village.

In recorded depositions, Perry admitted "hitting at" a man he had in custody three years ago. He also admitted requisitioning a handgun for himself that had been seized as evidence in a criminal case.

The village probe also discovered $2,475 in "forfeited" cash evidence from various closed cases was missing; other evidence was not stored properly; a light bar was given to Perry's son for use on his own vehicle; and potential conflicts of interest occurred during some police investigations over the years.

On Feb. 14, Skaff was appointed special prosecutor for the case by Wood County Prosecutor Ray Fischer to avoid any conflict of interest, since Fischer's office routinely works with law enforcement personnel throughout Wood County.

Evidence presented to the grand jury remains secret unless indictments are issued.

Skaff said he "followed up on (the village's) investigation by supplementing that quite a bit with what I did myself," and he decided there was enough evidence to present a case to the grand jury.

Village Administrator Kathy Healy said Monday that "for the village, (the grand jury action) is probably best because now we can put it behind us. Now we're not going to be in the news in a negative light about this. So that's a good reason to not feel upset about (the grand jury's) ruling.

"On the other hand, we spent a lot of time on an investigation and had it done professionally," said Healy. "I'm just surprised (the grand jury) came up with nothing in regard to (Perry). I'm really surprised."

Healy said the five-month village investigation, which included hiring a private investigator, utilizing the village's management consulting firm, and "other odds and ends" cost the village about $8,000.

"It wasn't cheap and we definitely ... feel like it should've been done by another law enforcement agency we rely on for guidance, but they didn't want to touch it," Healy said of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

"It's just disheartening because we're the ones who took the bull by the horns. And I know people will say that he (Perry) didn't do anything wrong ... I'd respond to that by saying that I would've never quit if I did nothing wrong. I would've fought and fought for my job, especially if I was one year away from retirement."

Contact staff writer Joy Brown at:

419-427-8496

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown
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1 Comment

Karen Downs wrote:
Jerry Perry
“ Kathy, if you wanted to keep the negativity out of the news why did you have to put in that one last jab! The town wasted money because you found that Jerry had the guts to stand up to you and that doesn't go well with you. ”
Monday, April 06, 2009 8:40:40 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.