30. The Investigation Division has incorporated a well structured Property and Evidence Management Jahner said Longlet's actions have disrupted the sheriff's office and have negatively impacted morale. Cass County officials confirm Lt. Ray did not request copies of the full investigation or reports related to the incident and neither did the other deputy involved. Most of our volunteer programs, outreach and partnerships were scaled back or on pause in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the intent to help keep our partners safe. There were no racial profiling complaints made against deputies during the year, Sheriff Scott Cass told Commissioners' Court at a Monday morning meeting at the Lamar County Courthouse. investigate all drug complaints and violations. Longlet said he was ready to reveal his identity after Jahner put him on administrative leave. The email sent Oct. 3 alerted local news outlets to an internal investigation into a lieutenant who used a Jahner's email cited a policy that prohibits disparaging remarks or conduct that could "disrupt the efficiency of the office" or would discredit any employee. We see that you have javascript disabled. Before taking office as County Sheriff on January 1, 2017, Sheriff Behnke served as the Undersheriff from 2003 through 2016.Sheriff Behnke graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1982. . The Cass County Sheriff's Office consists of several divisions, which generally provide service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Sheriff Jesse Jahner withdrew Ben Longlets status as a volunteer deputy, according to a Jan. 11 memo obtained Tuesday, Feb. 14, by The Forum through an open records request. Jahner stated this was the first time Ray violated policy, and he said while the act was egregious and disappointing, the sheriffs office doesnt terminate employment for policy violations, especially when its a first offense. I think it was an example of what happens when people talk out and speak the truth.". Not unique to Cass County, the region or even the state, licensed staff retention continues to be very good, while we see some turnover in non-licensed positions. Jahner denied using an internal investigation to silence Longlet. In April of this year, I did show and allow others inside the office to read the document to answer any of their questions they have may have had. "I would like for my story to get out there. Trending down from 2021, we processed 41,589 calls to 911 from cellular phones in 2022 and 1,965 calls from landlines. The activity and potential policy violations Ben has conducted has definitely caused disruptions to the organization and is negatively affecting morale. Lueck says he contemplated for days releasing the photo to Code4Media, a once-anonymous email account used to collect public records from the sheriff's office. "Several employees have questioned me as to why he has been allowed to stay at the organization to this point," Jahner said of Longlet. The sheriff noted concerns about Longlet allegedly disobeying a directive. The internal investigation by Cass County Sheriff officials, as well as a review by the Cass County State's Attorney's Office found Lt. Tommy Ray did not violate any criminal or federal. 02/26/23 22:30 1707 GORE RD, RAYMORE FORM 3000 . ", The message sent to the unnamed deputy included the inappropriate photo, and the deputy saying "Wrong number." An email from the human resources department within the sheriffs office revealed King requested the information on April 5 shortly before 5 p.m. The Cass County Sheriff Office provides incident and accident reports of events that occurred in Cass County. The sheriff said he had concerns about Ray's privacy and harassment against the lieutenant as a result of the photo being shared with news outlets. "That's why I sent the email to the agency and the situation is done," Jahner said. I felt like I would be put into a position of getting in trouble for doing that too," Longlet said. April Baumgarten joined The Forum in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. and "Is this coach dirk?" Address: Matt enjoys traveling to small towns across North Dakota and Minnesota to share their stories. And finally, we cannot delay these investigations solely on the fact that it is an election year.". At noon Friday, the Cass County Sheriff's Office . If you have specific questions that you would like answered in this column or in person, please feel free to contact me anytime using one of the following methods: By email at He can be reached at mhenson@wday.com and at 610-639-9215. CASS COUNTY Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that during the past year - pursuant to a statewide, large scale, ongoing investigation into the sales and use of controlled substances . online form by clicking HERE. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years. How to File a Complaint To file a complaint please complete the form below: Personnel Complaint Form (Internal & External) investigations, neighborhood watch programs, as well as a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Code4 initially asked in emails to The Forum to remain anonymous. So far, the . Jahner said he handled the investigation into Ray properly, adding that he felt he was transparent in sharing documents with news outlets when requested. The cause of death remains under investigation. Staying silent would have been a disservice, he said. Claussen was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance. This is done by numerous investigative techniques, This event is free. "We are continuing to investigate this case and identifying others who have been subject to the same treatment in preparation for a lawsuit against the Cass County Sheriff's Department because no one should ever lose their jobs for holding those in positions of power accountable, particularly in a law enforcement organization," Redmann said. The email included documents from a Sept. 2021 investigation of a Cass County lieutenant who reportedly accidentally sent a fellow deputy within the sheriffs office a naked picture. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. 00:00. CASS COUNTY, Mich. (WNDU) - A suspect who led police on a chase from Elkhart into Michigan on Monday night was taken into custody after he was located in the woods by a Cass County K-9.. Contact Us Sheriff's Office Physical Address View Map 321 M-62 Cassopolis, MI 49031 Directions Phone: : 269-445-8644 Emergency Phone: : 911 Directory Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. If anyone has any information that would assist in this investigation, the Cass County Sheriff's Office is asking you to contact us at (701) 241-5800. The Division is often assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in these types of investigations. Sheriff Jesse Jahner withdrew Ben Longlet's status as a volunteer deputy, according to a Jan. 11 memo obtained Tuesday, Feb. 14, by The Forum through an open records request. Lueck says King was not behind the leak. In that email, Jahner invited staff to discuss with him any concerns they had. Longlet was "disappointed and disheartened" by the decision, his attorney Christopher Redmann said. We continue to receive and process a large number of gun permit to purchase and permit to carry applications. Authorities say an ongoing statewide investigation into sales and use of controlled substances has resulted in more than a dozen arrests so far, as well as the confiscation of currency and methamphetamine. Major Case Squad. That did not feel like something I should do. I want the questions to be answered, and ultimately I think it needs to be reinvestigated," Lueck said. The Paris News. A 38-year-old Niles man was driving east on M-62 when he crossed the center line, causing a head-on crash. Cass County Sheriff's . and "Give me a call when you are able thanks[.]". We received 95% of our 911 calls from cellular phones. Tips can be sent through the tip line at 1-800-222-8477, or by CLICKING HERE. Saturday was our busiest day for 911 calls received and Wednesday had the least amount of daily 911 calls. A North Dakota Attorney Generals Office guide to open records says a public entity cannot ask why the records are requested, ask for identification or require a request be made in writing (or in person).. The Investigation Division is organized to allow detectives to specialize in 2852 Thunder Road South Ray received a written reprimand for improper use of a county phone since it was his first offense, the sheriff said. Thursday's proceedings included testimony from the victim in the case and Evans. According to the Cass County Sheriffs Office, multiple traffic stops and search warrants targeting the seizure of methamphetamine have been conducted throughout the past year. Ray received a written reprimanddue to a county electronic device policy violation, and did not break any state or federal laws. In a statement to our reporter Monday evening, King stated: I do not know who code 4 media is and or who is apart of of this group at this moment. In 2022, we responded to and investigated 86 crashes with injuries and 202 without injuries. Sheriff Jahner provided a written statement: "As an organization, we need to move forward with this investigative process. Joel Stading, who conducts internal investigations for the agency. Cass County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. According to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, multiple traffic stops and search warrants targeting the seizure of methamphetamine have been conducted throughout the past year. "I had a Lieutenant that did some things obviously - or did a thing that was very unprofessional, "said Jahner, "Ray did not deny he used his phone, he admitted to it, he admitted to using it at different times. A caller, identified as former Cass County Sheriff's Office employee Cole Thompson, asked Jahner who "Coach Dirk" is, and asked why the investigation did not look into the identity of Dirk. So far, the sheriffs office says the investigation has resulted in: Formal charges are pending for those arrested, and the investigation is spread across multiple counties. Longlet claimed the investigation was mishandled and was covered up, allegations Jahner denied. putting into logical, sequential form all of the facts that can be obtained concerning the case shortly after the deputy's response, later sending "That pic for you Opps sorry that was not suposed to goto you ." Jahner said sheriff's office staff must follow policy, and it's his job to make sure they do. Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office officials said the 47-year-old Flowerfield Township resident was arrested after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 131 . the remaining 25%. BLOG; CATEGORIES. The case stems from an investigation the Grant County Sheriff's Department started in September 2017 after the victim, who lives in Grant County, reported Evans had sexual relations with her in Cass County. of the vote. Longlet says once the sheriff identified him as the owner of the email account, he was placed on administrative leave from his volunteer position, citing unacceptable conduct that brings discredit to the office. Jahner won with 80% by any evidence located at a crime scene or through the use of interviews of victims, witness and He said sharing his story is not part of an October surprise against Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner's reelection bid, or anything in support or against Jahner's challenger, Deputy Mat King, who was accused of being behind the leak. As of Thursday, Oct. 20, Jahner's office was still investigating whether Longlet violated policies of the sheriff's office, said Capt. According to Maj. Kevin Tieman with the Cass County Sheriff's Office, Trevor Sparks, 33, of Kansas City, and Sergio Perez-Martinez, 43, from California, escaped the jail at about 10 p.m.. However, the reserve deputy said he isn't pushing for King to win the election. Box 1054 Bismarck ND 58502-1054 Phone: (701) 328-5500. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Police Executive Development Program and the Executive Management Program at Northwestern . Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Further charges may be possible at the conclusion of the investigation. Four motor vehicle fatality crashes were investigated within Cass County. CASS COUNTY, Mich. Four people were injured, with two of them hospitalized, in a two-vehicle crash at a Milton Township intersection Friday. Employment Opportunities; Facts & Figures; Links; Message from the Sheriff . Instead, he (Longlet) formed opinions on his own and from others he talked to, the letter said. 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