“I Probably Overstepped My Bounds”

Ohio Disciplinary Counsel has charged a municipal court judge with misconduct in connection with domestic violence and resisting arrest charges against his son.

The abused spouse was a secretary employed by the county prosecutor’s office.

When police arrived, the defendant was tased three times to bring him under control; he was scheduled to appear before the other county judge on the following morning.

Respondent and his fellow judge had created a bond schedule policy that required a defendant charged with domestic violence to be held without bond until their initial court appearence.

It is alleged that Respondent called the jail, spoke to his son and arranged to speak with the officer.

He told the officer

“Okay. Let him sign his bond. He’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

The officer knew that such action violated policy but was advised to follow the judge’s order; the intoxicated son was then released to Respondent.

The son returned home, where his spouse was; he did not appear for his arraignment.

The SWAT team responded but was not deployed; the son was arrested and charged with failure to appear.

When the son again sought his help, he said

“I probably overstepped my bounds letting you sign a bond last night.”

The son was sentenced to 60 days in jail, suspended, and six months probation for disorderly conduct.

WOWK 13 reported that the judge is the subject of an unrelated FBI investigation

 The FBI is investigating “potential theft offenses” by Portsmouth Municipal Judges Steven Mowery and Russell D. Kegley, according to Portsmouth Municipal Court documents. 

The allegations claim that the judges have been “altering their own hours and those of their staff.” No further information has been released and the investigation is ongoing. 

13 News has reached out to both judges for a statement on this but has not received a response yet. 

(Mike Frisch)