Deputy Sheriff James Chellis

[CBKN76]

In October 2009, Deputy Chellis, along with Sheriff Edward F. Dolphin and Deputy Thomas J. Cochran, unlawfully arrested Kelly Richmond on charges of brandishing a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. The next day, a magistrate refused to issue a warrant for her arrest, finding the .177 pellet rifle she allegedly brandished is not classified as a deadly weapon, and the facts of the disorderly conduct charge did not justify the charge. In June 2012, the Summers County Sheriff’s Department settled the lawsuit filed by Richmond, agreeing to pay her and her husband $65,000. The county made no admission of liability in the settlement.

[Return to blog post](https://watchaudits.com/deputy-sheriff-james-chellis-summers-county-sheriffs-department/)

[CBKN76]

In April 2012, a jury found that Deputy Chellis created a hostile work environment for former office deputy Cheryl Bratcher by making crude comments and, on one occasion, shocking her with a stun gun. The jury awarded Bratcher $500 in compensatory damages and $12,500 in punitive damages, with Chellis responsible for $10,000 and Sheriff Edward F. Dolphin for the remainder.

[Return to blog post](https://watchaudits.com/deputy-sheriff-james-chellis-summers-county-sheriffs-department-2/)

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