Muskegon County Sheriff's Department deputy faces domestic violence charge
Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010, 4:50 AM
MLive
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/11/muskegon_county_sheriffs_deput_1.html
MUSKEGON — A longtime Muskegon County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with domestic violence.
Keith Melton, 47, of Muskegon, a corrections officer for the Muskegon County Jail, was arraigned in Muskegon County’s 60th District Court on one count of first-offense domestic violence, a misdemeanor, before Judge Andrew Wierengo III.
The judge ordered a $3,000 signature bond. Melton entered a not guilty plea and indicated he’s hired his own attorney, according to court records.
A pretrial is slated for Nov. 29. Melton remains employed with the sheriff’s office while an internal investigation is ongoing.
According to Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler, the incident occurred around 7:40 a.m. Nov. 9 at his ex-wife’s home in the 1500 block of Fifth Street.
“He was questioning his ex-wife about why their son wasn’t allowed to play basketball,” Roesler said. “That escalated into an argument. The allegation is that Melton entered the house uninvited and physically assaulted her by pushing her inside the house.”
The woman then reported the incident to police.
Roesler said Melton will be “disciplined internally.”
“We are reviewing the complaint internally and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” Roesler said.
Melton could face anything from suspension to firing, he said.
Roesler said Melton has had “a clean record” and has been “a solid worker” prior to the allegations of the assault.
“I expect my staff to be professional on or off the job and to conduct themselves in a professional manner,” Roesler said. “This type of conduct is disappointing and it’s out of the norm for this particular employee.”
Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence
