CLEVELAND — A campaign aide for Ohio U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno resigned Friday in connection with a confrontational encounter between the staffer and police officers during the arrest of another Moreno campaign aide on suspicion of drunken driving.
Colton Henson, whom the campaign described as a contracted political adviser, resigned the same day the Chillicothe-based newspaper Scioto Valley Guardian published police body-camera video showing Henson arguing with police officers as they arrested Moreno campaign finance assistant Abby Wright in the Pickaway County village of Ashville on Sept. 1.
"Respect for law enforcement is a core value of our campaign and because Mr. Henson's behavior did not meet that standard, he has resigned his position," said Chris Grant, a general consultant for Moreno's campaign. "While we appreciate his service, accountability requires tough decisions. Bernie has personally called the law enforcement involved to apologize for the incident and reinforce his respect for the incredible job they do for our community."
According to 3News media partner Cleveland.com, Henson had previously served Moreno's campaign as political director before becoming a contractor. According to the village website, Henson is also a councilman in Ashville.
The body camera video posted by the Guardian — a newspaper that Cleveland.com points out is run by former Republican congressional candidate Derek Myers — shows that Wright was arrested on suspicion of OVI after officers observed her fail to observe a stop sign. The video shows Wright politely interacting with officers and complying with commands. The video also shows her admitting to drinking "like two glasses of wine" and apparently failing a field sobriety test.
The Guardian provided 3News the Ashville Police Department incident report detailing Wright's arrest in which officers also make mention of Henson's actions several times. The officer noted that Henson was in the car with Wright when she was pulled over and got out from the passenger seat -- and action the officer described as "very alarming for multiple reasons."
"Colton was trying to prevent me from doing my traffic stop and speak with the driver," the incident report reads. "I asked Colton who the driver was and he said his girlfriend but would not inform me her name. I then advised Colton why I had stopped them and that I needed to talk to the driver. Colton tried to stop me from talking to the driver again which is delaying my official business."
Later in the arrest report, the officer alleges Henson again attempted to interfere with the process.
"While getting more information from Abby, Colton Henson had walked up to me and without privilege to do so started to obstruct my traffic stop," the report states. "Colton tried to talk to me multiple times and I had to advise him to back up and stop talking and interrupting me during my traffic stop."
The incident report goes on to detail three more instances in which police allege Henson attempted to obstruct the traffic stop, requiring the intervention of other officers. In one of those instances, the officer says Henson was "told multiple times again to stop interrupting us" and that "Abby started to yell at Colton this time."
In addition, the video shows Henson, who was present for Wright's arrest, swearing at officers, telling officers their actions are unlawful and they are on "my property," and at one point telling a police officer to "f--- off." In one clip, as officers attempt to question Wright behind the wheel about how much alcohol she consumed, Henson is heard calling the situation "ridiculous." Henson's interjections prompt an officer to ask him to "stop interfering."
More than once, officers threatened to arrest Henson for obstruction of justice.
According to Cleveland.com, Wright later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless operation, a non-alcohol related driving offense.
"Ms. Wright cooperated and was respectful to law enforcement while they executed their proper role and duties," Grant told 3News. "She has accepted responsibility, paid her fines, and has had her license and vehicle returned. We consider this matter closed."
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include details obtained in the incident report of Abby Wright's arrest by Ashville police.