Former Bellefontaine Police Officer Brad Staley was arraigned Wednesday morning in Logan County Common Pleas Court on charges stemming from an incident involving operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) and the improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Staley faces one count of OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor, and one count of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, a fifth-degree felony.
Staley’s legal counsel has filed a motion requesting intervention in lieu of conviction, a legal mechanism that, if approved, would allow him to undergo court-ordered treatment and counseling instead of proceeding through the traditional criminal justice process.
As part of the intervention motion, Staley would be required to enter a guilty plea to the felony charge.
If he successfully completes the prescribed treatment program, the felony charge could eventually be sealed from his record.
The OVI conviction, however, would remain permanently.
In a statement accompanying the case, Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart said, ” The prosecutor’s office believes that the law should be applied equally to everyone. The proposed resolution involved in this case is the same as others similarly charged. In the last year, the State has prosecuted over half a dozen cases in which impaired drivers were operating vehicles with loaded guns in the car. David Frazier (court case CR24-08-0158) and Kelvin Smith (court case CR24-11-0225) were granted intervention in lieu of conviction for OVI and Improper Handling a Firearm in a motor vehicle. Craig Fry (court case CR25-01-0015) was granted diversion for the same charges. Scott Streets (court case CR24-11-0213), Franklin Dietz (court case CR25-01-0010), and Jarrett Griggs (court case CR25-02-0039) all have motions for intervention in lieu of conviction pending for the same charges.”
Judge Kevin P. Braig granted Staley his own reconnaissance bond and ordered that he keep in contact with lawyer Madison Mackay and submit to pre-trial drug and alcohol testing.
A final hearing in the case is scheduled for July 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
