LEBANON — Warren County officials Tuesday disputed claims that two deputies used excessive force and improperly entered a residence to arrest a suspect in Deerfield Township on New Year's Day.

        A report released by the sheriff concluded that Sgt. Brandon Lacy and Deputy Chris Peters used “appropriate” force when they wrestled Jody Harris to the floor at his brother's Chestnut Drive home and that they made a legal arrest.

        Sheriff's officials conducted an internal investigation after Jody Harris' brother, Jack, complained that deputies damaged his home and abused his brother during the arrest.

        At the time, police were acting on a tip to the county communications center that Jody Harris, who was wanted on two misdemeanor warrants, was at his brother's house.

        The report, written by Capt. Gary Miller, said there were no physical injuries to Jody Harris to support claims that the deputies slammed his head into a wall hard enough to crush the drywall, and punched him in the head after he was restrained.

        A jail nurse observed no serious injuries when she checked Jody Harris shortly after his arrest, Capt. Miller wrote. He added that Jody Harris acknowledged that he was injured days earlier in a car crash.

        In addition, Capt. Miller said it appeared that the damage to the wall occurred at another time.

        “Taking into account Jody Harris' statement, hanging coats, and lack of drywall residue, I believe it would have been difficult for this damage to occur at the time of arrest,” Capt. Miller wrote.

        The report didn't address allegations that deputies did not identify themselves before entering the house.

        But Capt. Miller told the Enquirer on Tuesday that Jody Harris' statement to police indicated that occupants of the house had seen police outside through a window before his brother went to the door.

        The report upset Jack Harris' wife, Julia, who said the family may file a civil rights lawsuit over the incident.

        “Nobody wants to acknowledge that they did anything wrong,” she said.

Chinese teen writes home - a book
Lemmie loved in Dayton
Detective outlines two killings
Opponents of Roach stand fast in Evendale
Children's starts rare transplant
CPS board president sees city stake in rebuilding plan
Dorothy C. Bailey, 90, former Woman of the Year, dies
Fingergate questions remain
Loveland racial talks Sunday
Police say some CAN ideas are in works
Schools meeting upsets some
Sister City program shows us how to mix
Steady hand on the camera
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
RADEL: Mind manners
SAMPLES: Testing luck
Bill would monitor prescriptions
Drive for referendum meets goal
Hamilton council to discuss city manager's future
Mason not funding 3 positions
New use possible for Mercy Hamilton
Newtown battles firefighting issues
Students put books on computer
Warren Co. disputes cop force claims
Bridge renaming faces uphill fight
Democrats load up to unseat McConnell
Jump-start money arrives to build homes for needy
Kentucky News Briefs
N. Ky. starts moving to meet storm water order
River park's value debated
Senate bill would let merged volunteer fire companies keep training money
Senior center may open next month
Tax proposals floated amid state money woes
Woman accused of sex with son