PRESS RELEASE

December 8, 2014

On November 14, 2014, a complaint was made at the Adena Medical Center regarding an alleged
sexual assault. The victim reported the perpetrator was a Chillicothe City Police Officer. Attempts
were made to identify the suspect, but the victim refused to disclose that information. Ross County
Prosecutor Matthew Schmidt along with Ross County Sheriff George Lavender went to Adena
Medical Center to speak with the alleged victim, but she refused to allow her own identity to be
disclosed to anyone in law enforcement, and left the hospital without providing further information.
The following morning, the alleged victim returned to Adena Medical Center and spoke with Ross
County Sheriff Detectives. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the alleged
perpetrator was William Stansberry Jr., a Chillicothe Police Officer. The allegations made indicated
the incident occurred within the City of Chillicothe. The Ross County Sheriffs Office, upon request,
agreed to conduct a criminal investigation.
On November 15, 2014, Ofc. William Stansberry Jr. was placed on paid administrative leave
pending the results of both a criminal and administrative investigation. During the administrative
leave, Stansberry was relieved of all duties and all city owned police equipment, including firearms
and badges were retrieved and held at the police station.
During the course of the criminal investigation, allegations were made that Ofcr. Stansberry may
have improperly used police computer equipment. A request was made to the Ohio Highway Patrol
asking that agency to conduct an investigation into Stansberrys use of the LEADS and OHLEG
computer systems.

The Ross County Sheriffs Office completed the alleged sexual assault investigation and the report
was forwarded to Ross County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Schmidt. That investigation concluded
that the allegations made did not amount to criminal sexual conduct and as such no criminal charges
were filed. Following this, the Chillicothe Police Department Command Staff Officers agreed to begin
the administrative investigation starting Monday December 1, 2014. To avoid any conflicts or
appearances of favoritism, an outside agency was requested to conduct the administrative
investigation. Pike County Sheriff Richard Henderson was contacted and agreed to conduct the
investigation. On December 3rd, A Chillicothe Police Sergeant and a Pike County Sheriffs Office
Major opened the administrative investigation.
On December 2nd, 2014, Ofc. Stansberrys FOP/OLC union representative contacted Chillicothe
Police stating that Stansberry was willing to resign effective December 3, 2014. Matthew Schmidt
was contacted and told of the pending resignation. Mr. Schmidt stated that based upon the results of
the investigation, Stansberry could resign and no criminal charges would be filed in the
OHLEG/LEADS cases. Mr. Schmidt did state that any complaints involving Ofcr. Stansberry which
were received after December 3, 2014 would be investigated and criminal charges filed, if warranted.
On December 3rd, 2014 at 11:00AM, a meeting was held with William Stansberry Jr. and his
FOP/OLC union representative Jason Hedrick. Mr. Stansberry submitted a resignation letter effective
December 3rd, 2014 at 4:00PM. As a result of the resignation, the internal administrative investigation
was discontinued. An Administrative Investigation (AI) is conducted to find any possible breaches of
police misconduct. The results of the AI can be used to issue departmental sanctions such as
suspensions without pay or termination. Since William Stansberry Jr. resigned, and is no longer a
Chillicothe Police officer, the AI was terminated. The current investigation will be closed unless new
criminal allegations arise.

Captain Keith A. Washburn

Interim Chief