Deputy sheriff accused of sexual misconduct

Some of the deputy's clothing was seized by investigators.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Deputy Sheriff Mark V. Dixon is on paid leave while investigators look into a female inmate's allegation of sexual misconduct.
Dixon's West Side home was searched Tuesday, based on an affidavit filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by sheriff's Detective Sam Oliver. The search was authorized by Judge Jack Durkin.
The search warrant return, filed in court Wednesday, shows that investigators seized a pair of Dixon's uniform pants found wet in a washer, underwear and two uniform shirts. A swab of Dixon's mouth was taken for DNA analysis.
Sheriff Randall A. Wellington said the clothing will be tested for body fluids at the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation lab. He said it could take several weeks before test results are ready.
The sheriff said Dixon will remain on leave pending results of the investigation. He declined to comment further.
Dixon, 29, has been with the sheriff's department since May 1997 and has been assigned to the corrections division. He could not be reached to comment.
Allegations
Oliver wrote in his affidavit that Dixon is accused of forcing the 30-year-old inmate to perform oral sex on him in her cell last Saturday. Dixon had been logged in and out of the inmate's medical housing unit -- in the psychiatric portion of the facility -- on several occasions that day, the detective said.
"Dixon claimed to have been assisting in arranging bond" for the inmate, Oliver said in his affidavit. "At the time, Dixon's assignment was to be on the fourth floor and working a float position and [he] had no legitimate reason to be in the medical housing unit."
The East Liverpool woman has been in jail since her arrest Oct. 5 on a charge of soliciting -- her first, according to municipal clerk of court records. She remains in jail, unable to post 10 percent of the $1,500 bond.
Her trial will be Nov. 25.
The woman, who gave a videotaped interview to investigators, said Dixon warned her not to tell anyone what took place.
Investigators collected her jail shirt from the laundry, and she was given a rape examination.