ALBANY, Ore. (KOIN) – A deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, who has since resigned, is charged with official misconduct.
Prosecutors in Linn County on Wednesday filed two counts of first-degree official misconduct against George Sutton.
In an email, Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley said, “George Sutton resigned his employment with my office on May 3, 2016.”
According to court documents, Sutton worked as a patrol deputy for the sheriff’s office, and in March 2015, “did unlawfully and knowingly perform an act constituting an unauthorized exercise in official duties.”
Prosecutors allege that he gave an intoxicated “young adult woman” a ride home in his patrol vehicle “with the intent to obtain a benefit for himself from her.”
The second count of first-degree official misconduct stems from an incident that reportedly happened between July and August 2015. In that instance, prosecutors claim Sutton insisted “to a person that she ‘discuss what happened so we both are on the same page.’” The conversation, records show, was so Sutton would avoid “discipline from his employer, the Linn County Sheriff.”
Specific details of the incidents have not been released. Riley was unable to comment and referred all other questions regarding the matter to DA Doug Marteeny.
Deputy district attorney George Eder said Sutton has retained an attorney and will be arraigned on the allegations “in the near future.”
Court records show the arraignment is scheduled for June 29.
Attempts to reach Sutton’s attorney, Kelly R. Beckley, have been unsuccessful.