Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiora and Chief Deputy Brandon Bryan have been indicted.
According to court documents, both are charged with abuse of public trust, theft by deception and official misconduct. Bryan is also charged with forgery.
The indictments come as Pineiora faces a whistleblower lawsuit by two detectives claiming they were retaliated against after reporting Bryan for breaking the law.
The complaint alleges the chief deputy illegally sold three vehicles from a Nelson County evidence warehouse. They were sold privately, not in a public auction, and at less than market value.
According to court records, when Drug Task Force Detective Ian Justice reported the sales, Pineiora retaliated against him and Detective Will Purdom by pulling them off the task force and forbidding them from working any overtime. The detectives are now suing for damages, including lost wages.
Wednesday, Pineiora and Bryan were served a summons by Kentucky State Police to appear for arraignment in Nelson County Circuit Court at 2 p.m. March 20. Bond will be set during that court appearance.
Credit: WDRB-TV/Louisville
