CRESTLINE―It was announced during the Crestline Village Council meeting Monday evening that no criminal charges will be filed against former Police Chief Joseph Butler and the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office has released a statement regarding the situation.
“I have determined after consultation with Special Investigator John Beal, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Auditor of State, that insufficient evidence exists to warrant filing criminal charges against Chief Joe Butler, formerly of the Crestline Police Department. Every effort has been made to both fully investigate these allegations and provide transparency to the public,” said Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall in a written statement.
Butler was under investigation when he resigned as police chief in November.
Council member Gene Toy said council recently was informed by the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office that no charges will be sought against Butler.
“What other recourse do we have,” Toy asked. “We have property missing that belongs to us.”
Village Solicitor Rob Ratliff said the village has civil options available to pursue and that there has been contact with the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) and the FBI.
Crestline resident Jack Queen was at the council meeting on Monday to request any information or recordings from the time period around June 25, 2018, mainly recordings created by Butler.
Crall said the determination not to file charges against Butler should not be construed that Butler is innocent of any wrongdoing.
“My office only makes determinations into whether criminal charges should be filed. This determination should not be construed as a determination that Chief Butler’s conduct and actions were appropriate,” said Crall. “This finding is not an exoneration of all wrongdoing – only that insufficient evidence exists to file criminal charges.”