(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — A former sergeant with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has been arrested after an investigation revealed he allegedly retained and misused funds from other PCSO employees’ paychecks.
According to PCSO, 43-year-old Jason Hanratty was arrested on Monday, June 30, for felony theft and first-degree official misconduct. He was booked into the Pueblo County Jail and is being held on $50,000 bond.
The arrest follows an independent investigation into allegations that Hanratty misappropriated funds from other employees’ paychecks following the dissolution of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #7. An arrest warrant signed by a district court judge alleges that for more than two years, Hanratty misappropriated over $17,000 in union dues from 41 PCSO employees.
Hanratty, who was the vice president of the FOP, allegedly deposited the funds into personal and business accounts under his control.
“This arrest is both troubling and necessary. The allegations in this case describe conduct that is entirely inconsistent with the values and expectations of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero. “We are sworn to uphold the law — not break it — and that obligation extends to every member of this agency, without exception.”
PCSO said the investigation was handled by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to ensure impartiality.
“As Sheriff, I took immediate steps to request an outside agency to handle the criminal inquiry to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. We will continue to cooperate fully with the District Attorney’s Office as this matter progresses through the legal system,” Lucero said.
