By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - A Hamilton County sheriff's deputy and his brother were charged Monday in an October beer-bottle attack on two Landen bar patrons during an impromptu high school reunion.

A grand jury indicted Kevin Schweitzer, a 28-year-old deputy employed as a corrections officer since June 2001, on three counts of felonious assault. His brother, Ralph Schweitzer, 31, of Crittenden, Ky., faces a single count of the same charge.

The Schweitzers are accused of assaulting brothers Bobby and Joe Miller, of Harlan Township, during a gathering at Tabby's American Grill & Bar for the 1996 graduating class of Little Miami High School.

Bobby Miller, 23, said the beating was unprovoked but apparently stemmed from an incident earlier when his brother, Joe, accidentally bumped into Kevin Schweitzer inside the bar. Kevin Schweitzer's wife, who organized the party, and Joe Miller were part of the reunion.

Bobby Miller said the Schweitzers and two other unidentified men followed him and his brother into the restroom sometime later "and were trying to start a confrontation."

He and his brother were cracked over their heads with beer bottles after they left the restroom.

Hamilton County sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett said Kevin Schweitzer was suspended without pay on Monday.

Kevin Schweitzer could not be reached for comment.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com