LEBANON — Warren County deputies are accused of roughing up a Deerfield Township family during the arrest of a guest wanted on misdemeanor charges.

        Sheriff Tom Ariss denied any wrongdoing by his officers, but said Wednesday that two deputies are under internal investigation because of the complaint by Jack Harris of Chestnut Drive.

        The 30-year-old truck driver told the Enquirer the incident began Tuesday when deputies burst through his front door about 6 p.m. with a warrant for his brother Jody, wanted on charges of assault and passing bad checks.

        Mr. Harris said he was eating dinner with three relatives when he heard someone outside yell, “Hey, come out here!”

        “I looked outside, but I couldn't see anything out the window. The next thing you know, I heard the door opening. I ran around the corner. I pushed it back shut, saying "What the hell? Who's coming into my house?'” Mr. Harris said Wednesday.

        The door flew open, knocking him, with his 7-month-old daughter in his arms, to the floor, he said. Neither was injured.

        Mr. Harris said the deputies grabbed his brother, slammed his head into the wall with enough force to puncture the drywall, then punched him in the head while he was restrained.

        “This isn't about Jody. This is about what happened at my house,” Jack Harris said. “My rights were completely pushed around. It's very unfair to get treated the way I did, and for them to say, "We have every right to do it.'”

        After the Enquirer questioned Sheriff Ariss, the agency issued a statement about the incident, then declined to comment further because of the internal investigation.

        The sheriff's statement denied that deputies made an improper entry, and didn't address allegations that Jody Harris was mistreated. He was charged with resisting arrest after the incident.

        “Sergeant Brandon Lacy and Deputy Chris Peters knocked on the front door and asked to be admitted. The resident of the address opened the door and the deputies gained admittance,” said the press release issued by Capt. John Newsom.

        Capt. Newsom said procedures require officers to identify themselves if they are not in full uniform.

        “The officers were in uniform,” he said.

        Mr. Harris is adamant that he was wronged.

        Mr. Harris said he called 911 immediately after the incident, and met with a sheriff's supervisor at the Deerfield Township substation three hours later to give a written statement. He said he felt police acted indifferently to his complaint.

        “I want something done,” he said. “I want a verbal apology from cops that came to my house. I want damage to my front door fixed. I want people to see what can happen to them.”

A tale of two pilots
Cold snap brings more house fires
Unhappy new year: Time to pay more
Boyfriend faces murder charge
Activist objects to G.I. Joe
DNA tests approved in slaying case
Nominee pool wider, deeper
Norwood jobs merged by new council
Stadium surface going bald
Tomain domain: minting lawyers
Tristate A.M. Report
U.S. Navy waits for no man - or baby
Volunteers in multiple roles at city school
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Public money
Complaint says arrest invasive
Middletown council names Schiavone mayor
Middletown hospital removes major obstacle to Turtlecreek Twp. move
Transit authority at crossroads
City also loses top official
Competence for trial hearing waits
Dayton's police chief quits post
Ft. Campbell gets orders
High schools honor alumni in military
Hospital praised as employer