( Waverly, Ohio ) - The suspended sheriff of Pike County, Ohio, is taking a plea deal.
Charles Reader is pleading guilty to five of the eighteen counts filed against him. Those counts include theft in office and records tampering for allegedly stealing money seized as evidence in drug crimes to fuel a gambling addiction. He was suspended in 2019. Jim Nelson has been serving as interim sheriff.
As part of the plea, Reader will be officially fired as sheriff and will lose his certification. He's also not allowed to run for public office.
Reader still faces the possibility of years in jail. He has another hearing set for October 5.