Accusations of Abuse of Power Mount Against Van Buren County Deputy
Recent allegations have put the spotlight on a Van Buren County deputy facing claims of excessive force and abuse of power. These accusations are fueled by the experiences of Ronnie Dollar, who encountered the deputy at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 19, Dollar came to the sheriff’s office to reclaim his car after it was towed by a local wrecker service. A dispute arose when he was told he needed to pay a fee, and the situation escalated into what was deemed “chaotic” behavior. Dollar claims he was arrested unfairly and subjected to excessive force while being taken into custody. He now faces a disorderly conduct charge and is scheduled to appear in court in June.
The deputy’s actions have drawn criticism from former detention officer Casey Cresswell, who used to work with the accused deputy. Cresswell has publicly stated that the deputy’s behavior was unjustified, labeling him as “violent” and “hot-headed.” These assertions are part of a broader pattern of allegations levied against the deputy, causing some to question his conduct and actions.
Compounding the matter is the apparent lack of transparency from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. When FOX 16 Investigates attempted to secure footage of the altercation between Dollar and the deputy, they were told the incident was “under investigation.” Similarly, attempts to get information from Sheriff Eric Koonce were met with resistance due to the ongoing nature of the case.
The accused deputy has countered the claims, attributing them to “disgruntled employees” and stating that his actions were justified. However, the consistency of these incidents has raised eyebrows, prompting questions about the handling of these cases and the deputy’s motives.
The ongoing legal proceedings in June will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding these events. As the matter unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the deputy’s career and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office as a whole.
