Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy arrested after domestic dispute
Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy Charles Ball is facing criminal charges after police said he was arrested during a domestic dispute Friday morning at his Van Buren Township home.
Ball, 45, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and domestic violence, said Van Buren Township Director of Public Safety Carl McClanahan.
Ball was arraigned Saturday morning in 34th District Court in Romulus and released on a promise to appear, police said. Investigators said Ball had a gun during the dispute that happened at 11:46 a.m. Friday at his home in the 46000 block of Village Green Lane. Police would not release details about the case, but said no one was injured and no one else was arrested.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton said Ball has been placed on unpaid leave. In addition to the criminal investigation by township police, the sheriff's department is conducting its own investigation into the incident, Clayton said.
Reached by phone Monday, Ball declined to comment.
Ball has been in law enforcement for more than 27 years and has worked for the sheriff's department in various positions including as a detective and school liaison officer.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
tom swift jr.
Wed, Mar 7, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.
I've met Ball a number of times dealing with law enforcement issues as part of my job. He's worked hard for the community for a lot of years. If he's guilty, then let the court system do it's job. We really don't need to try him in the court of AA.com.
Berda Green
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
wish him all the best hope he dont lose his job we need him and and all of them too
Goofus
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
Why are arrested individuals always shown in all the other crime articles but not this one?
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Their we go again , finding him guilty without knowing all the facts. From the article how do you know he isn't the one who called in the police?
skigrl50
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
Annarbor.com was able to get a mugshot of our local doctor, why is there no mug shot of our distinguished sheriff's deputy?
Diane
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
He is NOT above the law.
grs
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
No mugshot?
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 6:38 a.m.
I think it's reasonable to believe that police will have "good cause" to make an arrest of a "fellow officer." I think arresting another law enforcement officer must be one of the most difficult (and potentially dangerous) tasks one could face. But, given the known dynamics of situations where a LEO is having personal problems, I do question the decision to release this man for any pre-trial period. It doesn't require a degree or credentials to know that any LEO who "possesses a firearm in the commission of a felony" must have self control problems. We've just recently seen a case where a well regarded, very capable LEO committed suicide. Wasn't anyone THINKING about that in the courtroom?
SW40
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 5:12 a.m.
If the allegations are true then its time for Mr. Ball's career to end, if they aren't true then I hope the charges are dismissed. The Van Buren Township Police departmet is not well respected in local law enforcement circles and their issues at the command level have been well documented in recent years.
Superior Twp voter
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy Charles Ball is an honorable and distinguished law enforcement officer.
u812
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
Who knows maybe someone knew they could ruin a person's career by making a phone call,if the call is made in Van buren township the male is going to jail.
99 percenter
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.
It is difficult to understand how anyone can even think the officer will have an "unfortunate end to a long career." At 45, my guess is this is not the 1st time his significant other felt fear, and trapped in the horror of living everyday in a DV home. Bet she made that phone call, after much thought, knowing that "his" pension will no longer be an option and did not care. She deserves praise for having the strength to call the cops. It's good to know that the boys club is dissolving, finally.
Jim H
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 4:05 a.m.
Wow!!! This should be in the fiction book of the month club.
a2citizen
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
Maybe "she" was a "he". Don't jump to conclusions.
Daisy1
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 1:52 a.m.
How do you know she called? Maybe a neighbor called? How do you know what happened? Good to see you have a open mind, before make your opinion....
actionjackson
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
After 27 years on the job you would think that an officer would have seen enough domestic violence to not get involved in such a predicament.
justcurious
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
If he is convicted, it will be such a unfortunate end to a long career.
Fat Bill
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.
Stay tuned, UtrespassM, the man was arrested, but not yet bound over for trial, not yet convicted, all of which would occur before termination. Most employers will not proceed with termination until after the trial to avoid Garrity issues; once the criminal process is done then they can ask the tough questions.
Mick52
Tue, Mar 6, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
Any dept that would do that needs new leadership. Garrity applies only to statements and statements made under Garrity cannot be used at trial and it exists in part so that internal investigations can be conducted at the same time a criminal investigation proceeds. The only reason to not continue in regard to employment is the possibility is possibly false, that no assault occurred. It would be silly to wait until conviction to terminate because that position would go unfilled and conviction could take more than a year. Even if he is not convicted, he may still have done the offense and no department should employ him unless the incident did not occur.
UtrespassM
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
Will he be put in the jail? will he be fired? how about if the other party was injured?
jmcmurray
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
"Police would not release details about the case, but said no one was injured and no one else was arrested."
Get over it
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
Let's keep him away from schools