Ohio sheriff faces drug charges

FREMONT, Ohio — A sheriff who is up for re-election this fall pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he stole medications from prescription drug disposal drop boxes, deceived doctors into giving him painkillers and misused department funds.

Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer faces six felony charges in a 43-count indictment released Tuesday night.

Overmyer, 42, wore handcuffs and an orange jail uniform when deputies led him into court for his arraignment.

A judge ordered him to turn over his county property and told him not to contact anyone from the sheriff’s office. Overmyer was released from jail a short time later on a $150,000 bond.

A special prosecutor said she would begin the process of having him suspended from his job. One of his attorneys, Andrew Mayle, said Overmyer is not guilty.