HCSO corrections officer suspended for 10 days

A corrections officer with the Highland County Sheriff's Office was arraigned Wednesday on a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of menacing in Hillsboro Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty. 

Appearing in uniform, Mark W. Middleton, 42, of Hillsboro, was accompanied by his attorney, J.D. Wagoner. 

Earlier Wednesday, Middleton appeared with his union representative, Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward, and the department's labor consultant.

"He was given a 10-day suspension notice, without pay," Ward said. "We took all the facts into consideration, the fact that it was an off-duty incident. Without going into the facts of the incident itself, it was a domestic situation, and there were  allegations that one of his children were harmed, and the threats were a result of that. He completely handled it wrong, and I think he realizes that. But we still look at this as a serious situation, and it was conduct unbecoming of an officer who works for me."

Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna began the hearing by asking if either the state or defense had an objection with his presiding over the case, due to a possible conflict. 

While the court might not deal with Middleton in an official capacity regularly, "the court works with the sheriff's office on a daily basis," McKenna said. 

Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery, who represented the state, said that he had considered that issue, but ultimately decided that there was no conflict, and stated that the charges were, "a routine matter, as far as the state is concerned." 

Wagoner and Middleton each voiced they did not feel there was a conflict. 

McKenna said that if convicted Middleton could face up to 30 days in jail, a $250 fine and 200 hours of community service. 

"It's stating the obvious, but (with his employment at the sheriff's office) you could have additional effects in addition to the ordinary penalty," McKenna said.  

McKenna continued Middleton's own recognizance bond and set a pretrial conference, scheduled for Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.