Sandusky cop charged with felonies

Update 12:50 p.m.HURON TWP. — A Sandusky police officer faces felony charges after an alleged drunk driving incident Sunday night.Erie County sheriff's deputies arrested Kenneth Gautschi Jr., 46, of Huron, on the following charges:• Fifth-degree felony vandalism• Fifth-degree felony improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle• First-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence• Minor misdemeanor speedingThe incident began on Milan Road (U.S. 250) north of Kalahari Resorts, when a deputy spotted a Ford allegedly driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to a sheriff's report.The vehicle kept driving after the deputy activated his cruiser's lights, but it eventually stopped after turning onto Fox Road, the report states.A deputy said he immediately smelled alcohol coming from the Ford and spoke with the driver, identified as Gautschi.Kenneth Gautschi Body camera footage purportedly shows Gautschi admit to drinking before telling an officer he had a loaded gun in his car's center console. Deputies recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun from the car.After patting him down for weapons, the video shows Gautschi argue against being put in a deputy's cruiser until another deputy arrives on the scene."I'm a police officer," Gautschi said in the video."I understand that, and you've been drinking," deputy Ben Sargent said. "I know who you are and I understand, but I still don't have a choice. I have to address this situation as if you're anyone else."After deputy Sgt. Trevor Harlow arrived at the scene, video shows the two deputies speaking with Gautschi, who disputes deputies' assessment that he was drinking.Gautschi eventually agrees and takes two field sobriety tests, which he did not pass, according to the report.Video then shows deputies place him in handcuffs. Before deputies placed him inside a cruiser, he allegedly began swinging his handcuffs against the rear quarter-panel of the cruiser.Deputies later found a large dent and scratches on the cruiser, and charged him with vandalism.Officers then took Gautschi to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Sandusky post for a blood-alcohol breath test, where he blew a .169, the report states. The legal limit in Ohio is .08.The Erie County sheriff's office said Gautschi dented a cruiser's rear-quarter panel and scratched the panel and a door when he allegedly swung his handcuffs against the vehicle.Sandusky police Chief John Orzech said Gautschi has been with the department for 19 years, and is paid about $61,000 per year."We take matters such as this seriously and will be conducting an internal investigation into this incident as quickly as possible," Orzech said. "Once the investigation is completed, we will address any type of disciplinary action at that time."Orzech said he wouldn't make any additional comments on the incident since the charges are still pending.According to Sandusky police policy, off-duty officers are not allowed to carry weapons if they've been drinking.Gautschi was arraigned in Sandusky Municipal Court Monday morning. He was released from the Erie County Jail on a $15,000 bond Monday afternoon.An excerpt from an Erie County sheriff's deputy's report chronicles the arrest Sunday night.Check back later for body camera footage of the incident. Reach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterOriginal postHURON TWP. — A Sandusky police officer faces felony charges after an alleged drunk driving incident Sunday night.Erie County sheriff's deputies arrested Kenneth Gautschi Jr., 46, of Huron, on charges of felony vandalism and improperly handling firearms in a vehicle, as well as misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence and speeding. Sandusky police Chief John Orzech said he's aware of the incident.Check back today for updates.Erie County sheriff's office Sgt. Trevor Harlow (left) speaks with Sandusky officer Ken Gatuschi (right) in a screenshot from another deputy's body camera footage Sunday night.