Written by Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles issued a scathing public statement this week, defending his office’s investigation into Brendan Damron and accusing the defense of attempting to “victim blame” through social media and the press.
Background: The Arrest of Brendan Damron
Brendan Damron, 24, a former officer with the Marion Police Department, was arrested in February 2026 and charged with two counts of rape and one count of abduction. According to court documents and reports from Marionwatch, the charges stem from an off-duty incident where Damron allegedly forced himself on a woman at a private residence despite being told “no.”
Following the allegations, Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald placed Damron on administrative leave, emphasizing that police must be held to the same legal standards as the public.
Conflict Over Jurisdiction and Recusal
The newly released letter from Sheriff Bayles addresses a request from Damron’s attorney, Joel Spitzer, asking the Sheriff’s Office to recuse itself from the case. Spitzer’s request likely hinges on the potential for bias given Damron’s profession.
Sheriff Bayles flatly denied the request, stating:
- Local Jurisdiction: The crime occurred in Marion County, making it the Sheriff’s responsibility.
- Independence: Bayles noted that his detectives have over 40 years of combined experience and—crucially—have no ties to the Marion Police Department, ensuring an independent investigation.
Accusations of “Trial by Media”
The most pointed part of the Sheriff’s statement involves the defense’s use of text messages between the suspect and the victim. Attorney Joel Spitzer reportedly released a small selection of these messages to the media.
Sheriff Bayles characterized this move as a clear attempt to “victim blame” and mislead the public by taking communications out of context.
”No means no,” Bayles wrote. “I am immensely proud of the victim in this case for coming forward and the courage she showed in doing so.”
The Sheriff expressed personal disgust with the tactics, noting that the recusal request was sent late at night and appeared on social media before he had even woken up the next morning. He urged the defense to allow the case to be decided by a jury of twelve Marion residents who can hear all the evidence, rather than attempting to “try this case in the press.”
Current Status
Brendan Damron remains a central figure in a case that has shaken local trust in law enforcement. He was previously reported to be held at the Morrow County Jail on a $250,000 bond to avoid conflicts of interest within the local jail system.
If convicted on all counts, Damron faces decades in prison.