Charges dropped against Nelson County sheriff in vehicle sale case

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) – Criminal charges pending against Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa have been dropped.

He and Chief Deputy Brandon Bryan had been accused of illegally selling three vehicles from a Nelson County evidence warehouse. They had been charged with abuse of public trust, theft by deception, and official misconduct.

Pineiroa's attorney Steve Romines said his client was cleared of the charges at a hearing on Friday.

"I’ve said from the beginning that Sheriff Pineiroa did nothing wrong and would prove that at trial next month," Romines said. "I am thankful that after we provided additional evidence, reciprocal discovery and expert disclosures that the commonwealth recognized that and has dismissed the case. While that doesn’t happen often, it is commendable when it does."

Bryan's attorney Mike Niemietz said his client pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors including Forgery 3rd degree and agreed to pay up to $1,000 plus court costs.

In a separate case, a special judge ruled in July that Pineiroa and Bryan did not retaliate against a whistleblower detective who has accused the pair of criminal misconduct.

Judge Elise Spainhour ruled there was no retaliation against Detective Ian Justice, who is a central figure in the whistleblower lawsuit against the department.

Despite testimony from multiple sheriff's office employees, Spainhour said the evidence didn’t support claims of retaliation.

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