Sheriff convicted on felony drug and theft charges

Winner of 2016 Media Network of Central Ohio, Nov. MVP Award, 1st place “Sheriff pleads guilty to felony drug charges”
Winner of 2016 Media Network of Central Ohio, Dec. MVP Award, finalist “Overmyer sentenced to 4 years in prison”

The legal problems of former Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer started when he was indicted on 43 charges, including 38 felonies, mostly drug and theft related. He ended a disgraced man, with a rumored drug problem, sentenced to four years in jail, stripped of his badge, a convicted felon.

During all court proceedings, photojournalist Molly Corfman captured in full-length with multiple camera angles.

Sheriff Overmyer stole unweighed, non-inventoried prescription drugs from police department take-back boxes. He deceived doctors to obtain prescription pain medication. He stole money from the Furtherance of Justice fund.

His brother-in-law, a sheriff’s office captain, intimidated a potential witness by taking pictures of his house in a marked sheriff’s office cruiser.

After he was indicted, Overmyer bought a crossbow while awaiting trial and had his bond revoked. He ran for re-election and lost.

When the disgraced former sheriff accepted a plea deal, cried and apologized to the court before sentencing.

Photojournalist Molly Corfman persistently covered every twist, turn and development, keeping the public informed.

Sheriff Overmyer arraigned on drug charges

Sheriff arraigned on 43 charges 12:50

Prosecutor’s reaction 5:30

Attorney’s reaction :12

Aug. 24, 2016 – Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer pleaded not guilty to 43 charges, including 38 felonies, handed down by a grand jury Tuesday. He allegedly stole prescription take-back boxes from area police departments, deceived physicians to obtain prescription pain medication and tampered with records regarding the sheriff’s Furtherance of Justice account. A visiting judge set his bond at $150,000 with several conditions.

Read article: Sheriff Overmyer indictments

Sheriff runs for re-election

Oct. 27, 2016 – Incumbent Republican Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer debates two independent challengers, James Consolo and Chris Hilton.

Read article: Sheriff debate focuses on drugs, perception

Sandusky County sheriff debate among independent challenger Chris Hilton, from left, incumbent Republican Sheriff Kyle Overmyer, and independent challenger James Consolo on Thursday night.Facebook Livestream of debate 1:35:18

Overmyer jailed for violating bond conditions

FULL LENGTH Sheriff’s bond revoked 2:01:13
Prosecutor says sheriff not above law 2:40
Attorney’s reaction to sheriff jailed :09
Nov. 3, 2016 – Sheriff Overmyer’s bond is revoked just five days before Sandusky County voters decide whether the incumbent sheriff will be re-elected despite being indicted on 43 criminal charges. The visiting judge set a new cash bond of $250,000, plus a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

Seven alleged violations of bond conditions set at his August arraignment included erasing the hard drive of a county-owned laptop computer two hours before turning it in, purchasing a crossbow while being barred from possessing deadly weapons, seeking to influence potential witnesses in his case and contacting sheriff’s office employees despite a ban on having any contact with the department.

Read article: Overmyer jailed for violating bond conditions

Sheriff pleads guilty to drug charges

FULL LENGTH Sheriff pleads guilty to felony drug charges 15:00

Prosecutor’s reaction to guilty plea 2:00

Nov. 22, 2016 – After losing re-election, Kyle Overmyer pleads guilty to 14 charges, including 13 felonies, of theft of prescription pills, theft in office and deceiving doctors to obtain prescription pain medication. O’Brien and Overmyer’s attorneys agreed to drop the remaining 29 charges in the case. He faces up to 14.5 years in jail and is no longer allowed to be a peace officer and loses all certifications. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 13 by visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove.

Read article: Overmyer pleads guilty, faces up to 14½ years in prison
Read article: County set to move past ‘black eye,’ commissioner says
Read article: Timeline of Overmyer’s career

Sheriff sentenced to four years in prison

FULL LENGTH Former sheriff sentenced for drugs and theft 1:21:07
Former sheriff apologizes 1:47
Prosecutor reaction 3:07
Green Springs Police Chief reaction :23
Bellevue Police Chief reaction :57
Gibsonburg Police Chief reaction 1:14
Dec. 13, 2016 – Disgraced former sheriff Kyle Overmyer is sentenced to four years in prison and to repay $24,000 in restitution to Sandusky County. Four police chiefs read statements condemning Overmyer for betraying the public’s trust when he collected their drug take-back boxes from their departments for his own use. “You can use your badge as a shield or a sword. … You used yours as a sword,” Visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove said while scolding Overmyer. “You stole from the taxpayers.”

Read article: Overmyer sentenced to 4 years in prison
Read article: Police chiefs feel vindicated by Overmyer sentence

Aftermath of corruption in the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff’s Captain Meggitt admits he lied 5:00
Dec. 30, 2016 – Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mike Meggitt, Overmyer’s brother-in-law who is married to county clerk of courts Tracy Overmyer, admits he lied to the acting sheriff about taking pictures of Gibsonburg Police Chief Paul Whitaker’s home Sept. 1.

Whitaker lead the accusations from area police chiefs that Overmyer stole prescription drugs from take-back boxes and was a witness against the sheriff. He called Meggitt’s photo-taking an act of intimidation, done as Overmyer was actively campaigning for re-election while under indictment.

Read article: Gibsonburg chief blasts sheriff’s investigation

Families of mishandled, unsolved murder investigations want justice

April 11, 2017 – Families want justice for unsolved and botched homicide cases they say Sheriff Overmyer and Detective Sean O’Connell mishandled.

Read article: Families remember ‘angels’ at Pontifex

Families hoping for justice 12:30