In Pike County, Common Pleas Judge Chris A. Martin provisionally suspended Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader from office, Wednesday. This came following Reader's written statement in response to a motion commencing suspension proceedings.
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In the statement to the Ohio Supreme Court, Reader wrote: "I do recognize that the Ohio Auditor's Office seven month investigation of me and the Sheriff's Office has adversely affected the functioning of the Office and has caused debilitating stress to me."
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Reader cited conditions of bail that have impacted his abilities, such as not being able to communicate with 7 officers nor the county prosecutor and losing access to LEADS and radio transmissions.
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In late June, Reader was issued a 16-count indictment that alleges theft in office and tampering with evidence.
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The Pike County Commissioners say they will defer to the Pike Democrat Party Central Committee to appoint an interim sheriff. Pike Sheriff Chief Deputy Robert Barbee is in charge until Reader's replacement is selected.