Ohio State News by Cyn Mackley
Southern Ohio Sheriff David Thorgouhman has only been in office for a little over six months but he’s already proved he is serious about his promise to clean up the troubled department.
For the second time in just two weeks, his department has arrested one of its own for bad behavior.
Sexual Battery
According to Sheriff Thoroughman, his office received a tip back on July 14 that there was possible sexual misconduct involving a male corrections officer at the Scioto County Ohio Jail and a female inmate.
The Sheriff’s Office immediately started an investigation. Detectives confirmed that sexual misconduct had taken place between Officer James Layne IV and a female inmate.
The Sheriff immediately placed Layne on administrative leave until the investigation was complete. On Friday, July 23, the Scioto County Ohio Grand Jury indicted Layne, 46 of Franklin Furnace, on sexual battery and dereliction of duty.
Officers arrested him and took him straight to jail where he’s being held without bond. He’ll face a judge in Scioto County Ohio Common Pleas Court next week.
Drug Smuggling Operation
Just two weeks ago, the Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Corrections Officer John C. Aeh, 43, of Wheelersburg for smuggling drugs into the jail for cash. On July 7, his office received a tip that an employee was smuggling tobacco and drugs into the jail in exchange for cash.
As a result of the investigation, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office detectives determined that correctional officer John Aeh conspired with multiple inmates, their family members, and friends to smuggle both illegal drugs and tobacco into the Scioto County Ohio Jail. Investigators determined that Aeh received payments for his services via a cash app.
Heroin and Meth Discovered
Investigators, aided by Ohio State Highway Patrol Officers and a K9 from OSP, launched a search of the Scioto County Jail and came up with lots of evidence. Sheriff Thoroughman said the search resulted in the discovery of drugs, tobacco, and other contraband found both in jail cells and on the person of inmates.
Officers discovered these items during the search:
- 17 grams of suspected fentanyl/heroin
- 2 grams of methamphetamine
The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office estimated the street value of the suspected heroin and meth at $2,140.
Aeh faces three felony charges:
- 1 count of conspiracy
- 1 count of trafficking in drugs
- Conveyance into a detention center
At the time, Thoroughman said his investigation into corruption at the jail wasn’t over yet and more arrests could be on the way.
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