Executive Summary
- Marion police officer Brendan Damron indicted on charges of rape, abduction, and burglary.
- Allegations stem from a Feb. 11 incident where court records state Damron forced himself on a victim.
- Damron has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
- The defendant is held on a $250,000 bond with a court appearance set for March 2.
MARION, Ohio — A grand jury has indicted a Marion police officer on multiple felony charges, including rape and abduction, following an investigation into an incident reported earlier this month. Brendan Damron, 24, faces two counts each of rape and gross sexual imposition, as well as one count each of abduction and burglary.
The charges stem from an incident on February 11. According to documents filed in Marion County Municipal Court, Damron allegedly entered the victim’s home and forced himself on her despite her explicit refusal. The records state that the victim managed to escape to a bathroom, but Damron followed her, exposed himself, and allegedly forced himself on her again after she declined his demand for a sexual act.
Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald confirmed that Damron has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. “The credibility of police depends on holding ourselves to the same legal standards as everyone else,” McDonald said in a statement. He expressed confidence that County Sheriff Matt Bayles and County Prosecutor Ray Grogan would handle the investigation and prosecution based strictly on the law.
Damron is currently being held at the Morrow County jail on a $250,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Marion County Common Pleas Court on March 2 at 1 p.m.
Judicial Process and Accountability
The indictment formally moves the case into the trial phase within the Marion County Common Pleas Court. While the police department conducts an administrative review regarding Damron’s employment status, the judicial system will focus on the criminal evidentiary standards. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
