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Sheriff convicted of posting confidential reports to resign

Special prosecutor Mark Weaver said Williams County Sheriff Steve Towns engaged in potential felony counts of theft in office.
Credit: Williams County Sheriff's Office
Williams County Sheriff Steven Towns was criminally charged with three misdemeanor offenses stemming from the sheriff’s internet release of documents containing confidential child abuse reports.

BRYAN, Ohio — A sheriff in Ohio who was convicted of posting confidential child abuse reports to the department's website and Facebook page has agreed to step down in exchange for avoiding an indictment on new charges. 

Special prosecutor Mark Weaver said Williams County Sheriff Steve Towns will resign March 17. Weaver said Wednesday that Towns engaged in potential felony counts of theft in office. 

Towns was facing five misdemeanor charges, stemming from the sheriff's alleged disclosure of confidential child abuse reports online. 

Weaver said a deputy was paid to attend his Nov. 4 hearing regarding the child abuse reports and an election board hearing, though there was no official reason for his presence. 

The sheriff didn't respond to requests for comment. 

RELATED: Williams Co. sheriff facing additional misdemeanor charges

RELATED: Williams Co. sheriff charged with 3 misdemeanors

The sheriff, who has been working in different capacities as a law enforcement officer for 22 years, had placed a bid for re-election in January. 

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