Marion City Police Officer Arrested on Rape and Abduction Charges

This joint release concerning the arrest of MPD Officer Brendan Damron was issued by Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles and Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan:

MARION, OHIO-Last night, deputies from the office of Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles arrested a City of Marion Police Officer for a sexual assault against an adult female family member.

City of Marion Police Officer Brendan Damron, age 24, was taken into custody without incident last night and is being held at the Morrow County Jail. He was arraigned today and bond was set at $250,000.00.

Mr. Damron is charged with two counts of first-degree felony rape, one count of third-degree felony abduction. The charges all stem from an off-duty incident in a private home on February 11, 2026.

Victim rights protections under Ohio law and in the Ohio Constitution prohibit the public release of the identity of the victim.

“My team and I learned of these allegations and immediately began gathering the evidence and once we had enough to make an arrest, we took Damron into custody,” Sheriff Matt Bayles said. “My office is separate from and independent of the City of Marion Police Department and we will be the lead investigators in this matter.”

“The people of this county elected me to prosecute the crimes that happen here, and my prosecutors and I will take this serious case to court,” Prosecuting Attorney Grogan said. “Our office does not represent the city, and we have the experience and the independence to lead this prosecution.”

Each of the two rape counts is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 11 years. The abduction charge is punishable by up to three years in prison. By law, the Marion County Grand Jury will review the matter and will have the ultimate say on any final charges to be brought.

All suspects charged are presumed innocent until and unless convicted in court.