Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa and his chief deputy, Brandon Bryan, were indicted by a Grand Jury Wednesday on a series of felonies in the fallout from charges that they discriminated against deputies Ian Justice and Will Purdom in their roles with the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force.
The case is being investigated by Kentucky State Police Post 4 and Det. Blake Owens, and is being prosecuted by Bullitt County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Hernandez Troutman.
In all, Bryan is hit with eight charges, including five felonies, while Pineiroa is facing six charges, three of which are felonies.
Detectives Ian Justice and Will Purdom filed a verified complaint in February, alleging they were retaliated against after reporting the chief deputy, Brandon Bryan, for allegedly breaking the law. Justice and Purdom claim in the report that Pineiroa pulled them off a task force and prevented them from working overtime.
Justice and Purdom are now suing for damages including lost wages.
The suit alleges Bryan illegally sold three vehicles from a joint Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force (GHCNTF) and Nelson County evidence warehouse — these vehicles were awarded to the sheriff’s office through drug forfeiture. The vehicles were sold privately and not at a public auction as is required by law, and allegedly sold them for less than market value.
Justice states in the suit that he approached Bryan, Pineiroa, his department evidence technician, and his department CFO...
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