Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 24-year-old after a county investigation outside city limits.
MARION, OH — A City of Marion police officer was arrested and charged with two counts of rape and one count of abduction after investigators said an off-duty incident at a private home led to a criminal complaint. The officer, Brendan Damron, was arraigned in court and held on a $250,000 bond.
The case quickly shifted to county investigators and prosecutors, who said the alleged assault was reported to the Marion Police Department and then sent to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office because it happened outside the city but within Marion County. The arrest of a working officer has drawn public attention in a small Ohio community and prompted department leaders to place Damron on administrative leave while the investigation and court process move forward.
Authorities said the alleged incident occurred Wed., Feb. 11, at a private residence. The next day, the Marion Police Department received a complaint and contacted the sheriff’s office to handle the investigation, officials said. Sheriff Matt Bayles said his office began gathering evidence immediately. “My team and I learned of these allegations and immediately began gathering evidence and once we had enough to make an arrest, we took Damron into custody,” Bayles said in a statement released after the arrest.
Deputies arrested Damron, 24, without incident on Thurs., Feb. 12, and he was arraigned Fri., Feb. 13, according to county officials. Damron was booked into the Morrow County Jail, where he remained held as the case proceeded through Marion County courts. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of third-degree felony abduction. In Ohio, first-degree felony rape charges can carry long prison terms if a defendant is convicted, and officials said each rape count in this case could be punishable by up to 11 years in prison, with the abduction count punishable by up to three years.
Investigators and prosecutors did not publicly identify the alleged victim, citing state protections for victims of sexual offenses. County officials described the case as involving an adult and said the reported assault took place in a private home during Damron’s off-duty hours. One local television report said prosecutors described the alleged victim as someone with a prior relationship with Damron and said the two were no longer together. Authorities have not released further details about the relationship, and they have not described the evidence they say supports the charges beyond stating that investigators gathered information before making the arrest.
The involvement of separate agencies became a key part of the early public messaging. Bayles emphasized that the sheriff’s office is independent from the city police department and would lead the investigation. Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan said his office, which does not represent the city, would handle the case in court. “The people of this county elected me to prosecute the crimes that happen here, and my prosecutors and I will take this serious case to court,” Grogan said in a statement. County officials also said the Marion County grand jury will review the case and determine any final charges to be brought, a step that can reshape the counts a defendant faces.
Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald said Damron was placed on administrative leave from the department after the complaint was received and the case was referred for investigation. McDonald said the department’s credibility depends on applying the same legal standards to officers as to anyone else. In his statement, McDonald said he had confidence that Bayles and Grogan would carry out their duties fairly and based on the law. Administrative leave is typically a temporary personnel step while an employee is under investigation; officials did not say how long the leave would last or what restrictions were placed on Damron’s police authority during that period.
The case is in its early court stage, and several key questions remain unanswered in public filings and statements. Authorities have not released a narrative of what they allege happened inside the home, whether there were witnesses, or whether medical or forensic evidence was collected. They also have not said whether Damron had any prior disciplinary history with the department or whether investigators are examining communications, surveillance video, or other records. Officials said the alleged conduct occurred while he was off duty, and they have not alleged that he used his police position in connection with the incident.
Damron’s first major court milestone is expected later this month. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 20, according to county officials. Preliminary hearings in felony cases generally focus on whether prosecutors can show enough evidence to send the case forward; in some cases, charges can be presented directly to a grand jury. Officials said a grand jury review is expected, and any indictment would formally set the charges that would move the case toward later hearings and, potentially, a trial or plea negotiations.
In Marion, the arrest of an officer added a second layer of scrutiny for local leaders trying to separate the criminal process from the day-to-day work of policing. Statements from the sheriff, prosecutor, and police chief focused on independence and accountability, reflecting the sensitive nature of a case involving law enforcement. At the same time, officials were limited in what they said publicly because the alleged victim’s identity is protected and the case is pending in court. Public records released so far included Damron’s name, age, the charges filed, the bond amount, and the dates of arrest and arraignment.
As of Sunday, Damron remained in custody on the $250,000 bond, and officials said the investigation would continue while the case moves toward the Feb. 20 hearing and a grand jury review. County prosecutors have said they plan to take the case to court, with the next scheduled step set for later this week.
Author note: Last updated Feb. 15, 2026.