MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A City of Marion police officer was arrested by Marion County Sheriff’s deputies following an investigation into a sexual assault reported earlier this week.
Brendan Damron, 24, was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Morrow County Jail. During an arraignment on Friday, Feb. 13, his bond was set at $250,000.
Damron faces two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of third-degree felony abduction. Investigators state the charges stem from an off-duty incident that occurred at a private residence on Feb. 11, 2026. The victim is identified as an adult female family member; her identity is being withheld under Ohio’s victim rights protections.
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles emphasized that his office acted immediately upon learning of the allegations. “Once we had enough to make an arrest, we took Damron into custody,” 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.”
Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan echoed the necessity for an independent legal process. “Our office does not represent the city, and we have the experience and the independence to lead this prosecution,” Grogan said.
If convicted, Damron faces up to 11 years in prison for each count of rape and up to three years for the abduction charge. The case will be presented to a Marion County Grand Jury for final formal charges.
As of press time, Damron is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.