In October 2009, Deputy Cochran, along with Sheriff Edward F. Dolphin and Deputy James Chellis, 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-thomas-j-cochran-summers-county-sheriffs-department/)
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