Former Allen County sheriff indicted on several charges

A former Ohio Sheriff has been accused of taking bribes from drug dealers, and tipping them off to raids.

Former Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish faces a six-count indictment following a 21-month investigation by the Cleveland Office of the FBI.

Crish is accused of asking for and accepting bribes from drug dealers, along with allegedly tipping them off. Investigators say Crish would also make promises to people arrested in prostitution stings if they gave him money, and he would hit up suspected gamblers.

He now faces 75 years in prison.

“It is offensive as it is audacious, it’s brazen, it’s arrogant,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “It absolutely does demean, everything that somebody who takes the oath of office to serve in law enforcement, it demeans everything about that. The actions alleged in the indictment are that of a crime boss, not a sheriff.”

Crish turned himself in to the FBI earlier today, but right now he’s out on bond. His attorney says he’s allowed to travel for his job, and to Florida next month to attend gambling addiction treatment. Crish admitted to a gambling problem shortly after his office was raided in 2016.

Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.

About the Author