Valley Falls police Chief Bronson Campbell pleads not guilty to charge of disseminating criminal history information
Preliminary hearing held Thursday in Dickinson County
Valley Falls police Chief Bronson Campbell pleaded not guilty Thursday during a preliminary hearing in Dickinson County, where he faces one count of disseminating criminal history information, said Dickinson County district clerk Cindy MacDonald.
The alleged crime took place on or between Feb. 7 and March 24, 2014, while Campbell was police chief of the Enterprise Police Department.
Campbell was in that position from April 2013 until May 2014, when his re-appointment was denied.
The charge is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, according to the criminal complaint.
Campbell also is named in a federal civil action filed Sept. 17. The suit alleges Campbell engaged in search and seizures without reasonable suspicion or probable cause; used excessive force including a taser; and intimidated plaintiff Anna Spalding after she was arrested in September 2013 on a noise violation. The city of Enterprise and another officer, Scott Babcock, also are named. The defendants contend that it was necessary for a taser to be used and that the plaintiff was intoxicated and engaged in disorderly conduct.
Campbell recently sought the Republican nomination for Jefferson County sheriff. He lost the Aug. 2 primary to incumbent Jeff Herrig.
Dickinson County District Court Judge Keith Collett has repeatedly denied a request to disclose the affidavit in Campbell’s criminal case.