Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader has entered not guilty pleas to all 16 indictment counts against him, in a Tuesday morning court appearance in Pike County Common Pleas Court.
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Reader has been indicted on 16 charges, including theft and tampering with evidence. The Ohio Auditor's office says Reader asked for and accepted loans from county employees and vendors worth thousands of dollars.
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Represented by Attorney James Boulger of Chillicothe, Boulger entered the pleas for Sheriff Reader, who sat next to him at the defense table.
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Retired visiting Judge Chris Martin ordered Reader released on a recognizance bond and ordered him to surrender all keys he personally possesses to the Pike County Courthouse. Reader was also ordered to not have any contact with state witnesses in the case and refrain from discussing the case on all social media. State witnesses were also told not to discuss the case on social media.
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The new Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, has stated he believes Reader should resign immediately as Pike Sheriff.