Blaine County Sheriff’s Office investigating
Geary City Hall parking lot was the site Thursday of a reported assault on a city employee. A security camera video was forwarded to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office sometime after the fact.
Sheriff Travis Daughtery said the matter remains under investigation. According to Undersheriff Eric Denning, their office could have made a probable cause arrest of the suspect during the first 72 hours after the incident. However, the suspect, identified as Tatum Harrall, had left the county and was out of the jurisdiction until after the 72 hours had elapsed.
After the initial period has passed, Denning said, an investigation must be completed and the DA issues an arrest warrant.
Denning said there was more than one assault, and the suspect is tied to both incidents.
Daughtery said a search warrant had been obtained and executed at the home of the suspect and several items were taken into evidence at that time.
He said his department was asking for charges of destruction of evidence, larceny, malicious injury of city property, assault and battery and domestic assault.
The second incident reportedly involved Cecil Harrall, the husband of the suspect and Geary Chief of Police.
“It is my understanding he had been suspended pending the investigation,” Daughtery said. The sheriff’s office is handling the investigation, he said, “Because we’ve got to show transparency and do what is right.”
Geary City Hall has yet to comply with the Watonga Republican’s request for the minutes of the emergency meeting held Thursday evening.
Statute requires the requested minutes be provided within four business days of the meeting. That grace period expires Thursday Feb. 23.