CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Chillicothe Police Department is facing intense scrutiny following the release of a series of body camera videos that have raised questions about the conduct of several officers. Allegations of excessive force and police brutality have prompted investigations and calls for accountability.
The Guardian, actively investigating the department and the officers involved, obtained body camera footage from various incidents, highlighting troubling behavior. One notable case involves the arrest of Jason Lytle, a now-convicted attempted murderer. The footage shows Lytle resisting arrest and seizing an officer’s taser, leading to multiple officers being called to subdue him. Amid the chaos, an officer was seen shoving a distraught 10-year-old child into an entertainment center. Although the child was uninjured, the incident has sparked concerns about officer training in handling traumatic situations involving children.
The arrest occurred during a domestic dispute at the Lincoln Park Apartment Complex, where Lytle, out on bond for attempted murder, allegedly assaulted the mother of his children. As officers attempted to arrest him, Lytle grabbed a taser, leading to a physical altercation. Body camera footage captures a male officer yelling profanities at the child, who was restrained by his mother. The video shows officers Sergeant Samantha Taczak and Officer Katrina Hallam charging the child, with Hallam using her forearm to push him into the TV stand. Despite inquiries, the Chillicothe Police Department reported no disciplinary actions against the officers involved.
In another case, Officer Jeremy Conley was filmed forcibly removing eyeglasses from a suspect in the back of a police cruiser. The suspect, Ronald Anderson, Sr., had used a concealed handcuff key to escape restraints and threatened to take another arrestee hostage. Conley’s aggressive actions were noted in internal emails, warning of potential complaints and liability for the department. Despite counseling, Conley faced mixed feedback and later became involved in a highly controversial arrest.
On May 14, a violent confrontation between police and two African American families in Chillicothe drew significant attention. Multiple arrests were made, including OJ Tyrone Netter, Quinlan Netter, James Wingo, and Jayce Wingo. Jayce Wingo, who suffered severe injuries during the incident, continues to experience medical issues. Body camera footage shows Officer Conley aggressively confronting a bystander and also striking Jayce Wingo in the head multiple times while he was restrained on the ground. Deputy Robert Rush of the Ross County Sheriff’s Office was also seen shoving a vocal teen girl, leading to a response from her brother, Jayce Wingo. The footage shows officers violently subduing Wingo, with Sergeant Cody Moore later headbutting him while he lay unconscious.
Jayce Wingo faces felony charges of assault on a police officer and strangulation, while his family plans to file a lawsuit against the officers and the department.
Sergeant Cody Moore, involved in the Wingo incident, has a history of excessive force allegations, including multiple complaints and disciplinary actions during his tenure with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite these issues, he was hired by the Chillicothe Police Department, where similar complaints have continued.
The department has faced other allegations of brutality. In May, Officers Derek Wallace and Christian Seymour violently arrested a teen for allegedly smoking a nicotine vape. Wallace was seen kneeling on the teen’s neck, later lying about the events leading to the takedown. Another incident involved officers slamming a suspect’s face into a cruiser window during a high-speed pursuit, captured on multiple body cameras.
The Chillicothe Police Department has a history of excessive force complaints, including a 2014 incident where a local man was placed into a coma after being slammed to the ground by an officer, now a captain. The department cleared the officer of wrongdoing, and he was subsequently promoted.
The Guardian continues to seek additional body camera footage from the department to further investigate these allegations. Calls for protests and demands for the resignation of Police Chief Ron Meyers and Ross County Sheriff George Lavender are growing as the community seeks accountability for these troubling incidents.
