Second Frederick Deputy Charged With Crime, Suspended
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The Frederick County Sheriff's Office said Friday it has suspended a deputy charged with a crime for the second time this week.
Detective First Class Todd Joia was suspended Friday after he was charged in Berkeley County, W.Va., with the felony offense of entering without breaking, Sgt. Jennifer Bailey said in a news release. Joia, of Fairplay, is a seven-year veteran of the sheriff's office, Bailey said.
The charge stems from a reported theft Dec. 10 of more than $2,200 from two slot machines at Ruby's, a video lottery business near Spring Mills, W.Va., The (Hagerstown) Herald-Mail reported.
A Ruby's employee told investigators that Joia was a regular customer, according to charging documents obtained by the Herald-Mail. The worker allegedly said Joia was there the night of the theft, and asked about it afterward.
Investigators say Joia made incriminating statements in an interview but denied entering the business. They say he later left an investigator a voicemail, offering to resign if the victim would accept restitution.
Joia was arraigned Friday and jailed with bond set at $100,000.
Deputy First Class Kevin White was suspended Sunday after he was charged with second-degree assault for allegedly punching a man in the face in Hagerstown. White told investigators he acted in self-defense.
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said in a statement that he was "absolutely floored" by the "extremely serious" charge against Joia.
"I'm extremely angry that for the second time in the past week this agency's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of off-duty deputies," Jenkins said.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
