Meeting erupts into confrontation

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GREENVILLE – Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies were asked to investigate an alleged aggravated menacing complaint Tuesday in relation to an incident that occurred during an Ohio Department of Agriculture meeting at the Darke County Commissioners’ Office Monday evening.

The meeting had been called for public comment on the proposed hog finishing farm, Arnold Road Farm, to be be constructed in the county.

According to Rodney Drew, one of the farm owners, he filed the compliant against meeting attendee Brenda Stump, who he said threatened him with a gun.

After a verbal exchange, Drew said that Stump told him, “I have a gun waiting on you.”

The Darke County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press release that a verbal exchange did occur between two subjects at the conclusion of the meeting. During this exchange, a statement referencing firearms was allegedly made by one of the parties causing the other to fear for their safety.

A citation was issued to the offending suspect for aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

“It’s getting too personal,” said Drew about people protesting the new hog facility. “I don’t want to worry about my kids and my grandkids’ personal safety over raising hogs.”

This case will now be referred to the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office and Darke County Municipal Court for further due process.

Hog farm owner says he was threatened

Staff report

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