New information released in councilman's arrest

BELLEVUE — Law enforcement released new information on Thursday about the circumstances surrounding a Bellevue city council member's arrest last week. Joseph N. Burkhart, 38, of the 200 block of Madden St., was arrested by the Huron County Sheriff's Office last Friday, Sept. 19, and booked into Huron County Jail the same day on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Before Thursday, police and other local officials provided very little information regarding the circumstances of Burkhart's arrest. New information revealed Bellevue police initially responded to the call involving Burkhart but requested that the Huron County Sheriff's Office take over the investigation "due to a potential conflict of interest," according to a news release from the Huron County Sheriff's Office. The release states that the investigation began after deputies responded to reports of a "domestic-related incident in Bellevue." "Allegations included unlawful entry, physical assault, harassment and threats. During the course of the investigation, deputies also recovered suspected controlled substances and other related evidence," the release states. At approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 19, sheriff deputies and Bellevue police officers located Burkhart at a residence on Madden Street. He allegedly attempted to flee from law enforcement on foot and "was observed discarding suspected narcotics," the release states. Burkhart was apprehended shortly after, and law enforcement seized additional evidence. Corbin said that the Huron County Prosecutor's Office has approved the following charges for Burkhart: • One count of burglary, a second-degree felony • One count of strangulation, a third-degree felony • One count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony • One count of menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony • One count of possession of a controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony • One count of assault, a first-degree misdemeanor • One count of telecommunications harassment, a first-degree misdemeanor As of Thursday afternoon, Burkhart remains in the Huron County Jail on a $77,000 bond and has an upcoming court hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 29, according to court records. Limited response from city officials Questions sent to Bellevue's city council on Burkhart's arrest and criminal charges remained unanswered as of late Thursday. Bellevue city council president Ronald Smith responded to an emailed list of questions from the newspaper stating that he has no comment due to the case being an ongoing investigation. Council members Duane Baker, Steve Hill, Nadean Muniz, Beverly Ommert, Kendall Shepherd, Caleb Wynbissinger, as well as Burkhart's appointed attorney, David Longo, the attorney listed for Burkhart in Bellevue Municipal Court records, have not responded to the Register's questions. These are the questions the newspaper sent to Burkhart and Longo: 1. Do you have any comment on the criminal charges against you? 2. Do you intend to resign from city council in light of these criminal charges? Please explain. 3. Do you intend to seek re-election in the future? Please explain. 4. Please feel free to add anything else you'd like to say. These are the questions the newspaper asked the other council members: 1. How does the city council intend to address the recent arrest of fellow council member Joseph Burkhart? Please explain. 2. When was the city council first made aware of Burkhart's arrest? 3. How long has Burkhart served on the city council? When was he first elected? 4. Are there specific provisions or council rules that specify what occurs when a sitting member is arrested? Please explain. 5. Due to Burkhart's arrest, will the council consider any temporary measures, such as limiting certain duties, until the legal process concludes? 6. Has the council discussed any contingency plans in case Burkhart is unable to continue serving? Please explain. 7. Please feel free to add any additional information.