Harford County Correctional Deputy Charged In Forgery, Theft Case: HCPD

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A correctional deputy has been suspended without pay after a Harford County Circuit Court Grand Jury indicted him on a felony charge of theft over $1500 and multiple forgery charges on Tuesday.

Harford County Senior Deputy Shawn Forton, 40, has ben assigned to the Harford County Detention Center since 2006.

A member of the community informed the Harford County Sheriff's Office about Forton's alleged misconduct, the sheriff's office disclosed. Investigators with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Office of Professional Standards initiated parallel investigations into the allegations.

During the investigation, detectives spoke with a woman who said Forton forged a check in her name for an undisclosed amount and deposited it into his personal bank account. The woman and Forton knew each other outside of his profession, the sheriff's office said.

Information developed during the criminal investigation was provided to the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office who then conducted a follow-up investigation to determine the appropriate charges. The investigation was presented to a Harford County grand jury July 16. The grand jury handed down an indictment a short time later. On July 17, Forton’s suspension was modified due to the severity of the charges, the sheriff's office stated.

“We expect the highest level of integrity from all agency members as it is the backbone to ensuring public trust. Although this case has yet to be adjudicated, it is deeply disappointing that an individual entrusted with confidence has been accused and charged with breaching that trust. Such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within my office," stated Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler.