NEW PHILADELPHIA – A former eastern Ohio police officer accused of shooting himself while on duty and falsely claiming he was shot during a traffic stop has been indicted on charges including inducing panic and making false alarms.
“Considerable resources were used to investigate the claims, and there must be consequences for needlessly causing such serious alarm,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.
A Tuscarawas County grand jury recently indicted former Newcomerstown police officer Bryan Eubanks on charges that also include evidence tampering, DeWine said in a statement released by his office Wednesday.
Charges against Ofc. Bryan Eubanks
One count of inducing panic, a felony of the 5th degree
One count of making false alarms, a felony of the 5th degree
Two counts of tampering with evidence, felonies of the 3rd degree
One count of forgery, a felony of the 5th degree
One count of workers’ compensation fraud, a misdemeanor of the 1st degree
(The inducing panic and making false alarms charges each carry two firearm specifications)
Source: Ohio Attorney General’s Office
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office says the then-officer told authorities he was shot in the arm April 11 by a man in a vehicle he stopped for a traffic violation, but later told them he made up the story to cover up an attempt to kill himself.
Eubanks couldn’t be reached for comment. No home telephone listing could be found. Court records didn’t indicate an attorney for Eubanks.