Two of Nelson County’s top police officers have been indicted on several felony charges.
On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa on six charges, including abuse of public trust, two counts of theft by deception, official misconduct, and two misdemeanor charges.
Pineiroa’s chief deputy, Brandon Bryan, is facing eight charges including abuse of public trust, two counts of theft by deception, two counts of forgery, one count of official misconduct and two misdemeanors.
The grand jury returned a “true bill,” agreeing there was enough evidence to bring multiple charges against both men.
According to court documents, two detectives filed a complaint alleging they were retaliated against after reporting alleged misconduct.
The complaint alleges Bryan illegally sold three cars being held in an evidence warehouse to a local car salesman who was also the chief deputy’s friend. The sales violate state law, which requires vehicles to be sold at public auction.
Bryan was also accused of taking items from the vehicles and putting them in his police cruiser.
When the detective brought up Bryan’s violations to Pineiroa, he was told Bryan would not be allowed inside the warehouse unsupervised. An evidence technician later told the detective she believed the chief deputy had stolen items from the evidence room inside the sheriff’s office.
At the end of 2024, Kentucky State Police began an investigation into the allegations made by the detective.
The detective alleged once the two men learned of the state investigation, they began ignoring him when he asked about cases. He was also pulled from the process of joining the DEA division in Louisville, the complaint said.
In February, the detective and another employee, who supported the detective’s allegations of misconduct, were notified their overtime pay was halted due to a federal freeze. They later learned it had not been paused.
According to the complaint, both detectives were scheduled to have a meeting with Pineiroa on February 6.
During the meeting, Pineiroa appeared in his Class A uniform, which they noted he only wears to high-profile events or if the sheriff “planned to fire someone.”
The complaint alleged Pineiroa “exploded” and screamed profanities which were heard throughout the sheriff’s office. He allegedly told them “they were done,” and ordered them to return to road duties, restricting them from overtime.
Both Pineiroa and Bryan are expected to be arraigned on Thursday, March 20 at 2 p.m.
Source: WHAS11
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