Arrest and charges
Marion police officer Brendan Damron, 24, was taken into custody Thursday night by deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office following a reported sexual assault involving an adult female family member. Authorities said the incident happened Wednesday, Feb. 11, at a private residence while Damron was off duty.
Damron is charged with two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of third-degree felony abduction. He was arraigned Friday, where a judge set his bond at 250,000 dollars, and he is being held at the Morrow County Jail. If convicted, each rape count carries a potential sentence of up to 11 years in prison, and the abduction charge carries up to three years.
Alleged incident and victim protections
Investigators said the charges stem from an alleged assault at a woman’s home on Feb. 11, and that Damron and the woman had previously been in a relationship but were no longer together. Authorities have identified the victim only as an adult female family member and are withholding her name under Ohio victim-rights laws and constitutional protections.
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said his office began gathering evidence as soon as they learned of the allegations and moved to arrest Damron once they believed they had sufficient grounds to do so. Bayles emphasized that his agency is separate from the City of Marion Police Department and will serve as the lead investigative body in the case.
Prosecutor and police response
Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan said his office will lead the prosecution and stressed that his role is to pursue crimes that occur in the county, independent of the city administration. Grogan noted that the case will be presented to a Marion County grand jury, which will ultimately determine the final list of charges.
Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald confirmed that Damron has been placed on administrative leave and said an internal affairs investigation is underway. “It is without question, we insist on accountability for every person who works here,” McDonald said, adding that Damron will not return to duty while the internal probe and any disciplinary process move forward.
Legal process moving forward
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office are jointly handling the criminal investigation. Under Ohio law, a Marion County grand jury will review the evidence and decide whether to issue an indictment and on what specific counts.
Authorities stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in a court of law. No additional details about the alleged assault or the victim’s condition have been released as of Friday, in part because of legal protections for crime victims.