Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release…. July 30, 2008

Sheriff Wants State Law Changed

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones sent a letter today to Ohio State Representative Courtney Combs, requesting changes to Ohio Law that would increase penalties for the crime of Abuse of a Corpse. Referring to a recent case out of Hamilton County where DNA testing has indicated a former Coroner’s Office employee sexually assaulted a homicide victim some 25 years ago, Sheriff Jones is calling for more severe punishment than the current law calls provides, which is 6-12 months imprisonment. The Sheriff would like the crime elevated from its Felony 5 classification to a Felony 3, which could then be punishable with 1-5 years imprisonment.

In his letter to Combs, the Sheriff states, in part, that, “I am appalled that a person who has once been a victim of a crime is once again victimized by those who are responsible for their care. These persons should be held to the higher standards those of us in the law enforcement field, teachers and clergy are. We are entrusted with a person and should be held accountable for their treatment while in our custody and care.” The Sheriff asks Combs to introduce the legislation change as soon as possible.

Prepared by: Sgt. Monte Mayer
Public Information Officer