Anti-Harassment Order Issued Against Washington Sheriff

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — An anti-harassment order has been issued in opposition to a sheriff in western Washington, requiring him to keep away from a Black newspaper service who’s suing him over a confrontation final 12 months.

Professional Tem Choose Christine Chin on Monday cited “a course of conduct of illegal harassment,” in ruling that Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer should avoid Sedrick Altheimer for one 12 months, The Seattle Instances reported.

The ruling got here in a digital listening to on whether or not to increase a short lived anti-harassment order in opposition to Troyer that had been filed final month by an legal professional for Altheimer.

Chin referred to latest incidents by which Altheimer stated Troyer adopted him in an SUV, circling round and flashing his lights as Altheimer delivered newspapers in Tacoma.

Altheimer testified below oath Monday in regards to the encounters, saying he was left fearful by the continued contacts with Troyer.

Troyer didn’t come to the listening to, however then was summoned to look by the decide. His legal professional, John Sheeran, stated Troyer wouldn’t supply testimony due to a felony case pending in opposition to him.

Sheeran disputed Altheimer’s harassment claims, saying Troyer had encountered him solely as soon as for the reason that 2021 incident — whereas checking on his aged father, to whom Altheimer delivered a newspaper.

Troyer has confronted criticism and requires his resignation over his early morning Jan. 27, 2021, encounter with Altheimer, who was delivering newspapers on his common route. Saying he believed Altheimer was performing suspiciously, Troyer adopted him in his SUV, not figuring out himself as legislation enforcement.

The 2 wound up in a standoff and Troyer known as in a big police response, repeatedly telling an emergency dispatcher that Altheimer had threatened to kill him. Troyer backed off his risk claims upon questioning by Tacoma police.

Troyer has pleaded not responsible to misdemeanor felony costs of false reporting and making a false or deceptive assertion to a public servant over the incident. He has known as the costs introduced by the state legal professional normal’s workplace “a politically motivated anti-cop hit job.”

A trial was initially set for July however has been moved to October.

An investigation commissioned by the Pierce County Council, performed by former U.S. Lawyer Brian Moran, discovered Troyer’s conduct had violated insurance policies on bias-free policing and different skilled requirements.

Troyer final 12 months additionally was positioned on Pierce County’s “Brady listing” – a roster of legislation enforcement officers with credibility issues that would affect their potential to function witnesses in felony circumstances.

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