Sheriff's deputy, brother out on bond

5/23/2013
BLADE STAFF

Two brothers, one a 13-year veteran of the Lucas County Sheriff's Office, were released from the Lucas County jail Wednesday after each posting surety bonds.

Paul Little, 40, of 2932 Lambert Dr., a deputy who was working in the jail prior to his arrest, was ordered to be held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond on charges of intimidation of a witness, falsification, and unlawful transaction of a weapon.

His brother, David Little, 36, of the same address, turned himself into the court on an open intimidation of a witness warrant. His bond was set at $25,000 despite a $10,000 bond recommendation.

Both were arraigned in Toledo Municipal Court on Wednesday.

Paul Little, who was dressed in a brown jail-issued jumpsuit, is on paid administrative leave and was being held in a one-man cell with a guard outside the door because of safety concerns after his arrest Tuesday, officials said.

According to court documents, the Little brothers were under investigation for allegedly trafficking in marijuana. A paid informant working for the sheriff's department was given a 9mm handgun by Paul Little, despite the informant being a felon, the records indicate.

Paul Little then filed a report with Toledo police claiming the gun had been stolen from his car; he later told police he found the gun in his home once the informant returned the gun, court records state.

When the brothers found out that the informant was, in fact, an informant, they allegedly called him and threatened to kill the man, according to court documents.

The men are to scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 30.

- Taylor Dungjen