A WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DEPUTY HAS BEEN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT STEMMING FROM A 2018 INCIDENT
Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
On May 31, 2020, the Sheriff’s Office received a concerning email alleging Rian Alden engaged in online communication, which contained racial epithets in December 2003. In response, the Sheriff’s Office immediately placed him on administrative leave and initiated a personnel investigation. When the Washington County District Attorney’s Office learned of the email, they re-opened the criminal case against the deputy.
Earlier today, the District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury who returned a charge of Official Misconduct in the First Degree (A Misdemeanor). Consistent with legal obligations in any active criminal proceeding, evidence in the case cannot be released until after the case is adjudicated.
Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett states, “Given new information available in this case, I understand and support the District Attorney’s decision to present the evidence to a grand jury. I thank the grand jury for their time and respect their decision.”
In March 2018, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation on a concerning use of force incident in the jail. Jail Deputy Rian Alden, employed since 2007, used force on an arrestee during booking. The incident was flagged for additional review by a supervisor, and subsequently, the Sheriff’s Office requested an outside agency conduct the investigation. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police investigated the incident and forwarded their conclusions to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. At that time, the District Attorney’s Office lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute Rian Alden and did not proceed with charges.
On May 31, 2020, the Sheriff’s Office received a concerning email alleging Rian Alden engaged in online communication, which contained racial epithets in December 2003. In response, the Sheriff’s Office immediately placed him on administrative leave and initiated a personnel investigation. When the Washington County District Attorney’s Office learned of the email, they re-opened the criminal case against the deputy.
Earlier today, the District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury who returned a charge of Official Misconduct in the First Degree (A Misdemeanor). Consistent with legal obligations in any active criminal proceeding, evidence in the case cannot be released until after the case is adjudicated.
Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett states, “Given new information available in this case, I understand and support the District Attorney’s decision to present the evidence to a grand jury. I thank the grand jury for their time and respect their decision.”
Comments
Post a Comment