CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (WDRB) -- A Charlestown Animal Control officer who was arrested on the job on had a long history with meth, according to sources.
Robert Young appeared in a Clark County courtroom Tuesday morning, four days after he was arrested on the job on Aug. 31. Young was wearing an orange jump suit and wearing shackles on his hands and feet when WDRB's Gilbert Corsey confronted him about the accusations.
"Mr Young, do you have anything to say?" Corsey asked.
The 39-year-old shook his head no.
It was not an unfamiliar scene for Young. Court records show the former Charlestown Animal Control officer had a 2005 conviction for dealing meth out of Posey County. He was sentenced to eight years at the Henryville minimum security prison, and assigned to the Charleston prison work detail.
That's where he met the Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall.
"Did it go through with your approval?" Corsey asked Mayor Hall.
"Yes," Hall replied.
Hall says he hired Young after his early parole, fully knowing his criminal background.
"He was a good welder and metal fabricator, which we needed at the time," Hall said.
"Do you regret at all hiring him?" Corsey asked.
"No, everybody makes mistakes and he was good worker," Hall replied.
"Was this his mistake or your mistake?" Corsey asked.
"His mistake," Hall said. "I don't have any control over whether someone makes a bad decision or not."
We're told Young was hired as a city maintenance worker in May 2009. His job was to maintain the community and park areas. The mayor promoted him to animal control officer. He received training and certifications all on the city's dime, earning about $33,000 a year.
Young was arrested at work Friday at the end of a sting. Court records say he was caught in his city vehicle selling $30 in meth to a police informant.
The Mayor calls Young "a missed opportunity at a second chance" -- but one he would take again.
"I would hire anyone that wants a chance to get their life together and can demonstrate they can do it," Hall said.
Tuesday marked Young's initial hearing in front of the judge.
"Mr. Young is a good guy who was trying hard to get his life back together, and it's unfortunate that this has happened to him," Hall said.
Copyright 2012 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.
Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall knew about Robert Young's past when he hired him.
