Former police chief gets jail
By JODY MURPHY, Staff Writer
POSTED: January 4, 2008
GRANTSVILLE — A former Grantsville police chief has been sentenced to a minimum of three years after pleading guilty to charges of sexual abuse.
Ron Gordon Sr., 57, pleaded guilty to three charges of first-degree sexual abuse in early November. Calhoun County Circuit Court Judge David W. Nibert imposed sentence on Gordon Thursday.
Nibert sentenced the six foot 290 pound Gordon to one to five years for each count, with the sentences to run consecutively, meaning Gordon will serve from 3 to 15 years.
Special prosecutor Tom Kirk was pleased Nibert imposed the maximum, but expressed regret for not seeking additional counts.
“He deserves no less than that in my eyes and the victims’ eyes,” Kirk said. “If I had it do over again I may not have agreed to three counts. I might have gone after four or five.”
Kirk said Gordon’s crime ran over the past 25 years and the victims ranged in age from 10 to 47.
“He is going to be punished for at least some of the things he did,” Kirk said.
Kirk, a retired state trooper whose son and father also serve in law enforcement, said Gordon’s crimes were amplified by the fact he was a police officer. Gordon served as Grantsville’s police chief from 2004 to 2006. Gordon also served as home confinement officer and circuit court bailiff.
“We all share in some of the shame he brought on those of us with a badge,” Kirk said.
Kirk said in both his written and verbal statement to the court Gordon failed to apologize or accept responsibility for his crimes.
“He never once said he didn’t do it,” Kirk said, “He never apologized.
He never accepted responsibility and there was no remorse whatsoever.”
Kirk said in addition to his jail sentence, Gordon, once he is released on parole, will be monitored for the next 25 years.
Kirk, who said he will sleep well, also credited Calhoun law enforcement officials for their role in convicting Gordon.
“There were a number of police officers, including the (county) prosecutor, who got the ball rolling in this case,” he said.
“Everybody helped out in this to make sure we got all the evidence we could get. Everybody is relieved.”
Contact Jody Murphy at jmurphy@newsandsentinel.com
