Sheriff’s Department Responds To Allegations Made To Commission

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department has responded to allegations made against some members of the department for alleged inappropriate relationships between co-workers.

Jon Thomason, Union, appeared before the Franklin County Commission during their regular meeting Tuesday, January 17, where he alleged that his alleged wife, a department detective was having an affair with another sheriff’s deputy detective.

Thomason presented the five page letter to the Commissioners and also forwarded copies the multiple members of the sheriff’s department, area law enforcement and state officials.

Thomason stated that he was filing a “citizen’s complaint“ against various members of the department for failing to supervise the officers.

Following the incident the Sullivan Independent News received information that possible lawsuits in this incident could be forthcoming regarding defamation of character.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton did not immediately comment on the letter due to the subject containing items of personnel.

He did however issue the following statement:

“A complaint was brought to our attention in early August 2022 alleging violations of the Sheriff’s Office policies. That complaint was thoroughly investigated and handled based on the information provided.

On January 17, 2023 during a County Commission meeting a citizen complaint with additional allegations of policy and violations were brought forward. I received a copy of the complaint in the mail on January 18 to include a list of past and present members of the Highway Patrol, Washington Police, Union Police New Haven Police Pacific Police and the Prosecutors Office. I made contact with the respective Department leaders and made them aware of the complaint.

In the morning of January 19, I instructed my Chief Deputy to open another investigation due to the new information of alleged policy violations. On January 20, two deputies resigned prior to the start of the investigation.”

The letter also accused incidents involving the Missouri Highway Patrol and other municipalities, however it did not provide names of individuals.