Harford correctional deputy indicted on felony theft and forgery charges

A Harford County correctional deputy has been indicted on a felony charge of theft over $1,500 and multiple forgery charges.

Senior Deputy Shawn Forton, 40, was originally suspended with pay July 10 after an investigation was launched following allegations by a woman that were reviewed by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office command staff, according to a Wednesday news release. Forton had been employed at the Harford County Detention Center since 2006.

A parallel investigation was launched by investigators with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Office of Professional Standards. Investigators spoke with the woman who alleged Forton had forged a check in her name and deposited it in his personal bank account, the news release stated.

Police say Forton and the woman knew each other outside of his work at the detention center. The amount of the check was “undisclosed.”

A follow-up investigation was conducted by the state’s attorney’s office to determine appropriate charges.

The investigation was presented to a Harford County Circuit Court grand jury on July 16. The grand jury handed up an indictment the following day.

A Harford County Sheriff’s Office public information officer said Forton’s suspension was modified due to the severity of the charges and he is now suspended without pay.

“We expect the highest level of integrity from all agency members as it is the backbone to ensuring public trust,” Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in the news release. “Although this case has yet to be adjudicated, it is deeply disappointing that an individual entrusted with confidence has been accused and charged with breaching that trust. Such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within my office.”