Pleading innocence
Trial date set for former detectiveBy Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
POSTED: May 8, 2008
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Fact Box
The charges and possible penaltiesFormer Belpre police Detective David Garvey is charged with:
¯ Fifth-degree felony obstruction of justice; up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.
¯ Fifth-degree felony theft in office; up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.
¯ Third-degree felony tampering with evidence; up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
¯ Third-degree felony bribery; up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
It could be motive for someone to try to tarnish the reputation of the veteran police officer, he said.
“I am very disturbed by the timing of some of the accusations,” said Dennis Sipe, Garvey’s attorney. “We are at a point where there could soon be a change in leadership at the Belpre Police Department, and there was a perception that (Garvey) was a front-runner for one of those positions.”
On Wednesday, Garvey, 54, pleaded not guilty to four felony charges that leave him facing 12 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if convicted. He was a 17-year member of the department and resigned last week after being indicted on the charges.
Other than entering pleas, Garvey did not comment during his 1:30 p.m. arraignment in Washington County Common Pleas Court.
Sipe said he would vigorously defend against the allegations.
“These charges are absolutely wrong,” Sipe said outside the hearing. “He committed no crime.”
A July 7 trial date has been set on the matter before Judge Ed Lane.
Garvey has been on paid administrative leave from the department since Jan. 2. The investigation into the alleged misconduct began last summer.
The charges allege drugs are missing from a June 18 case Garvey handled. Also, prosecutors say it appears Garvey accepted a bribe to dismiss a case in March 2004.
Belpre police Chief Ira Walker was out of the office Wednesday due to a family emergency and could not be reached for comment.
Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz said Garvey resigned Friday, four days after he was indicted by a Washington County grand jury.
“Dave came in and resigned. It is my understanding he has elected to retire,” Lorentz said.
Specifically, Garvey was charged with fifth-degree felony obstruction of justice, fifth-degree felony theft in office, third-degree felony tampering with evidence and third-degree felony bribery.
An internal investigation launched last summer at the Belpre Police Department raised concerns about Garvey. The case was then forwarded on Sept. 4 to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, a special investigative unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Garvey remains free on a personal recognizance bond while awaiting trial.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-10 | Post a comment
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sickinBelpre
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05-08-08 11:10 PM
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You may think what you want But a good Cop????
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ledzeptour
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05-08-08 6:26 PM
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He is a good cop, and nothing has changed he still is, someone got one on for him, It will all come out in the wash, he does have the best attorney for this in Marietta!!!!!!
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sunnysideup
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05-08-08 2:06 PM
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Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I am sure there are plenty of cops out there who have done right AND wrong. As I think I have said before, there had to be something there for the jury to indite. Now whether the information provided was accurate of false, that will be determined during the trial.
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nancydrew
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05-08-08 1:16 PM
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Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz was wrong in his statement that Dave Garvey resigned, he retired because his pay had been stopped in April, and he like the rest of the working population has bills that need to be paid and needs an income to pay them.
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MariettaExPat
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05-08-08 1:15 PM
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As the saying goes, a prosecutor could persuade a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich.
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petiebob
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05-08-08 12:37 PM
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No one is dismissing the case just by making a comment nor are we convicting him just because a grand jury says so. He was a GOOD COP and just because he was indicted does not mean he is guilty.
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mariettarob
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05-08-08 12:33 PM
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Until we know the entire facts of the case and he is judged by a jury of his peers, no one can dismiss the seriousness of these allegations by saying he's a good cop or it's a witch hunt.
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Animallover
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05-08-08 11:57 AM
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Thats right Petiebob we need to stick together!
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petiebob
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05-08-08 11:50 AM
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The whole investigation is Bull S***. Sounds like a witch hunt to me. I agree with animallover, he is a good guy and a good cop.
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Animallover
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05-08-08 10:09 AM
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I think this is Bull S***. He is a good guy!
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