LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa and his Chief Deputy, Brandon Bryan, made their first court appearances Thursday amid allegations of misconduct.
Pineiora and Bryan are both under indictment for allegedly selling three vehicles that were being held as evidence in a secured warehouse. Steve Romines, attorney for Pineiroa, emphasized the presumption of innocence.
“First of all, they are presumed innocent and we are completely ignoring that by saying they are not allowed to speak to each other in the performance of their duties,” Romines said.
Special Prosecutor Amanda Hernandez Troutman swiftly introduced pretrial motions, advocating for restrictions on the defendants.
“I would ask for no contact with the two defendant, they’re alleged to have committed the crimes against the commonwealth, against this county together and I think it would protect that commonwealth if they were not allowed any contact,” Troutman stated.
The case stems from a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that Pineiroa and Bryan retaliated against a detective who reported a supervisor for unlawful activity.
The complaint accuses Pineiroa and Bryan of illegally selling three vehicles from a Nelson County evidence warehouse.
Romines pushed back against these claims.
“Two of the allegations in this case involved impounded vehicles that were impounded in connection to criminal cases. Open, a drive-by shooting, a vehicle was used in a drive-by shooting, and the sheriff’s office impounded it and then sent a letter to the owner that if you want this vehicle, you need to come and get it,” Romines said.
Both men pleaded not guilty and were permitted to continue working. However, Special Judge Elise Spainhour issued a stern warning regarding the detective at the center of the allegations.
“There’s not going to be any kind of retaliatory action taken by any person,” the judge said.
Spainhour further warned against any punitive actions.
“I don’t want any hostile comments, I don’t want any out-of-ordinary scheduling, anything that could be construed as a punishment against the men listed on this indictment,” she said.
Attorneys for Pineiroa and Bryan dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
“The years of trust they have in him shouldn’t go away simply because someone’s alleged some bogus charges, and that’s what they are,” Romines argued.
Mike Niemietz, attorney for Bryan, echoed this sentiment.
“Brandon Bryan has served this community for a long time. He will continue to serve this community in every way that he can. That he’s having to go through this at all is, again, it’s a miscarriage of justice,” Niemietz said.
The case is currently scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 27.
More Nelson County Stories:
- Bardstown residents complain of latest corruption case after sheriff, chief deputy were indicted
- Nelson County sheriff, chief deputy indicted on multiple charges
- Steve Lawson, attorneys preparing for May trial in Crystal Rogers murder case
- Bardstown man charged with chicken-fighting after police receive tip
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