Marion, Ohio – In a heated development in Marion County court proceedings, the attorney for accused police officer Brendan Damron has filed a motion demanding the removal of the county prosecutor and sheriff from the case, citing an alleged conflict of interest.
Case Background
Marion Police Officer Brendan Damron, 24, was arrested on February 12, 2026, by Marion County Sheriff’s deputies following an alleged off-duty sexual assault on February 11 at a private residence on Campbell Road. He faces two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of third-degree felony abduction, with potential penalties of up to 11 years per rape count and three years for abduction if convicted. The victim, an adult female and former romantic partner whose identity is protected, reported the incident, which prosecutors describe as non-consensual despite the prior relationship.
Damron, employed by the Marion Police Department since 2023, remains held in Morrow County Jail on a $250,000 bond and has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal affairs probe. The case is slated for grand jury review, with Damron presumed innocent.
Recusal Demand
Defense attorney Joel Spitzer argues that intertwined professional ties— including shared resources and collaborations—between the Marion Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Prosecutor’s Office undermine the investigation’s impartiality. Spitzer referenced text messages between Damron and the accuser suggesting consensual interaction, though specifics were not disclosed publicly.
A court appearance was set for Friday, February 20, but a continuance is anticipated as no ruling on the recusal motion has been issued.
Prosecution Response
Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan rejected the claims as a “stunt,” stressing his office’s history of prosecuting law enforcement personnel, including a sheriff’s deputy. “Nobody is above the law,” Grogan stated, affirming his office’s independence from city police and commitment to evidence-based prosecution.
Sheriff Matt Bayles led the arrest, emphasizing his office’s separation from city police. Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald, also Ohio Fraternal Order of Police president, expressed trust in the prosecutor’s handling while prioritizing departmental accountability.
Community Implications
The case has stirred local scrutiny over law enforcement accountability in Marion, Ohio, a city of about 35,000 where inter-agency dynamics often intersect on public safety matters. Grogan urged victims to come forward, highlighting statewide support resources.