ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A deputy with the Ross County Sheriff’s office was disciplined after she wrongfully released a wanted inmate.
Public records obtained by the Guardian outline the investigation into Sergeant Tracy Harewood.
The paperwork said Harewood was working first shift in June when she released a man on bond for local charges, despite him being wanted in another county.
“Sergeant T. Harewood conducted a warrant check on the inmate prior to release. Sergeant Harewood misread the warrant check and released the inmate,” read the internal affairs paperwork. “Sergeant Harewood was later contacted and [sic] the released inmate had felony [sic] warrant out of another county.”
It is law for jails in Ohio to hold wanted individuals who have warrants in other counties as long as the warrant is within “pickup” range, meaning the agency who wants the person is willing to drive to Ross County and pick them up.
The inmate’s mother is reportedly the person who called the jail to report her son had been wrongfully released, the paperwork reads. About two hours later, the man, Jeffrey Campton, turned himself in to law enforcement.
Harewood was given a three day suspension, but the suspension was stayed, meaning she will not have to serve it unless she messes up again.