Former Sandusky County sheriff sentenced to 4 years in prison

FREMONT, Ohio -- (WJW) -- Former Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer apologized in court and said he has remorse for his actions, moments before he was sentenced to four years in prison.

“I am truly sorry,” Overmyer said, as he turned to speak to those in court during his sentencing hearing Tuesday in Sandusky County. “I do have remorse. I really do.”

Overmyer told Judge Patricia Cosgrove he wants help for his drug addiction.

“I take full responsibility; I am not in denial,” Overmyer said.

But the judge disagreed.

“You are selfish,” the judge said. “You don't get it.”

The judge also ordered him to make restitution in the amount of $24,000.

Prior to sentencing, several police officers spoke to the judge saying his actions were “devastating” to the law enforcement community.

The chiefs said Overmyer betrayed the public's trust during his eight years as sheriff.

He pleaded guilty to 13 counts last month.

Overmyer pleaded guilty to three counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug, three counts of theft in office, two counts of tampering with records and five counts of theft, according to the Sandusky County Clerk of Court's Office.

His attorney sad his client “has a drug problem.”

Special Prosecutor Carol Hamilton told the judge that steroids and pain medication were found in Overmyer's office.

O'Brien told the judge that Overmyer continues to deny he did anything wrong. She went over phone calls Overmyer made on a recorded line from jail.

“'They did it to me; I didn't do anything wrong.' That's what he says in his phone calls,” the prosecutor said. “It seems he hasn't learned. He has not showed any remorse.”

The prosecutor asked that Overmyer be sentenced to prison.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began looking into Overmyer when several area police chiefs raised concerns over the prescription drug disposal boxes.

Overmyer was indicted in August.

According to the indictment, he deceived doctors and pharmacists to get pain medication, changed department funding records and took prescription drugs from the drop boxes.

He was released on bond after his indictment and actively campaigned for re-election.

However, his bond was revoked in November when the special prosecutor told the judge Overmyer violated terms of his bond by intimidating witnesses, contacting sheriff office employees, buying a crossbow, and changing addresses without notifying the court.