One Degree of Separation

You’ve probably heard of the concept of “six degrees of separation”. It’s the idea that a person is within six or fewer acquaintance links between themselves and any other person in the world. The “six degrees of separation” concept is often linked to an actor and a game called “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”. In Mercer County evidence continues to build that many in the criminal world are operating within one degree of Sheriff Jeff Grey. This, unfortunately, is not a game.

Last week John Etgen, a Mercer County resident, was arrested in Auglaize County on an outstanding warrant. The arrest included drug paraphernalia. Is it surprising that John is a relative of Mercer County Sheriff Officer Darrel Etgen? Are we to believe no one in the Mercer County Sheriff’s office knew where John was? John lives in Mercer County. How was it that the Mercer County Sheriff’s office never arrested him? Was he being protected?

We are currently investigating a tip regarding a retired Mercer County Sheriff’s officer’s family. They, apparently, were involved in a theft ring and when they were caught Sheriff Jeff Grey conveniently swept the incident under the rug by issuing a misdemeanor. Interestingly a citizen offered information on this theft ring and, within 48 hours, they were dead. It is also worth noting that this Mercer County Sheriff officer was relieved of his duties for misconduct at the Minster Police Department. Sheriff Jeff Grey seems to have a pattern of bringing in employees with baggage who are pre-disposed to “operate” within his fiefdom.

It is time to have an unbiased outside investigation of Sheriff Jeff Grey. His “fingerprints” seem to show up in a lot of places and there are many incriminating facts that point back in his direction. It’s time to get rid of Sheriff Jeff Grey and clean house at Mercer County Sheriff’s office, prosecutors office, and the Celina Police Department. If the citizens can help make this happen all the problems with the drug trade and the deaths it causes will start to plummet in Mercer County.