Telb avoids contempt; ex-deputy gets guns

4/28/2006

Lucas County Sheriff James Telb yesterday returned several firearms that were confiscated nearly two years ago from a former deputy sheriff as part of an internal affairs investigation.

The items were given to Ronald Slough, Jr., resolving a civil lawsuit that he filed in October, 2004, in Lucas County Common Pleas Court against the sheriff.

Mr. Slough was terminated by Sheriff Telb in November, 2004, after a county grand jury indicted him on two counts of unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance.

However, the charges were dismissed last year at the request of prosecutors after Judge Denise Ann Dartt suppressed the search of the former deputy's Toledo home in which the weapons were taken.

Judge James Bates, who handled Mr. Slough's civil case, ordered the sheriff in August and in November to return items taken in the search to Mr. Slough.

A hearing was scheduled yesterday by Judge Bates to determine why Sheriff Telb should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with the earlier court orders to return certain weapons.

The matter was resolved after a settlement was reached during discussions between Mr. Slough's attorney and an assistant county prosecutor representing Sheriff Telb. As part of the settlement, Mr. Slough relinquished some items and guns to the sheriff, including a sawed-off shotgun.