Hundreds of people have signed a petition aimed to the Governor of Ohio asking he reinstate suspended Pike County Sheriff Charles S. Reader.
“As a lifelong citizen of Pike County, Ohio, I implore that action be taken to reinstate our elected sheriff,” wrote Tami Tackett. “Although facing charges, that the majority of voters have deemed to be bogus & trumped up, Sheriff Charles Reader has not been found guilty, nor has he pled guilty to any felony charges. The safety of our community has incurred massive damages and has recently been compared to the wild west as a result of men in power, abusing their given rights.”
Staff inside Governor Mike DeWine’s office said that his office has not seen the petition.
Attorney Brad Smith said that while the efforts of those signing show support for Reader, the petitioners won’t accomplish their goal.
“It was the Supreme Court who suspended the Sheriff,” Smith said. “The Governor is not empowered to reinstate Reader or overrule the court, even if he wanted.”
Reader was placed on suspension by the Supreme Court of Ohio after he was indicted on 16 charges in July. He is accused of tampering with evidence that involves seized drug money, as well as borrowing money from employees. His trial is in April.
