BY MARK SCHUMANN

Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Milo Thornton, who was recognized in 2012 as Officer of the Year, was placed on administrative leave earlier this month during an investigation of allegations of harassment and creating a hostile work environment.  The allegations were made by Deputies Jamie Potts and Duane Lanning, who, according to an internal affairs reports, are in a relationship with each other.   Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jeff Luther said last week , Thornton was cleared of the allegations and has returned to duty.

Deputy Potts alleged that Thornton created a hostile work environment “through unwanted attention, uncomfortable behavior such as singing, and discussion into non-related social and personal relations.”

Deputy Lanning alleged that Sgt. Thornton offered him a position in the traffic unit if he could disuade Deputy Potts from pursuing her complaints against him.

In a 12-page report issued April 15, detective Justin Knott summarized 12 interviews conducted in the investigation of  the complaints against Sgt. Thornton.  According to Knott’s report, based on interviews with Thornton, Potts, Lanning and nine other Sheriff’s Office personnel, none of the alleged violations of policy by Sgt. Thornton could be confirmed or sustained.

News of the suspension of the 2012 Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Year broke two weeks ago when the story appeared on the front page of local weekly newspaper.  In the lead paragraph of the news report, Thornton’s suspension was characterized as “a move akin to house arrest.”

That statement is totally inaccurate based on the definition of administrative leave. According to the Sheriff’s Office counsel, Jim Harpring, administrative leave with pay is not a punitive action. it simply means the employee should be at home between eight and five, Monday through Friday, in case the employee is called in to the office.  If he or she needs to leave the house for any reason other than coming to the office, the employee just calls in to let them know. Administrative leave with pay is a normal action if an internal affairs investigation is warranted.

Two excerpts from Knott’s internal affairs report, cast the story in a different light.

“When Sergeant Thornton is confronted in his interview about the actions which occurred on the morning of March 16th, he stays on topic and succinctly accounts the dialogue which occurred.  Sergeant Thornton offers specific events described in a timeframe that is reiterated in a linear timeline and can be recounted as a forward and backward event suggesting veracity and a basis of fact.   Conversely, when Deputy Lanning is discussing the allegations surrounding Sergeant Thornton offering him a position in Traffic Section, Deputy Lanning’s replies are no cohesive statements.  They neither: 1) follow a linear timeline; or 2) articulate any substantive statements relating to the precursor events.”

In a summary of Deputy Lonnie Chandler’s  sworn testimony, Knotts wrote, “On another instance, Deputy Chandler had been car-to-car with Deputy Lanning and Deputy Lanning had been speaking about his relationship with Deputy Potts and ‘a nurse.’  Deputy Lanning had brought it up that his actions ‘might be messing up my life.’  Deputy Candler replied, ‘You already crossed the line because you’re in a relationship with somebody you work with,’  Deputy Candler’s impression is that Deputy Lanning’s personal relationships have ‘to some degree’ been affecting Deputy Lanning’s work life. He agreed that it is part of the role of a supervisor to intercede.  Deputy Lanning also told Deputy Chandler that a supervisor was already made aware of Deputy Lanning’s relationship problems.”

Thornton, a rising star in the Sheriff’s Office, first joined the department in 2003, after working three years with the Vero Beach Police Department and two years with the St. Lucie County’s Sheriff’s Office.  He served in the criminal investigation devision of the Sheriff’s Office from 2005 to 2012 and was promoted from detective to sergeant in the potrol division last year.

Thornton was named Officer of the Year last year for his role in the investigation into the barrier island murder of Brian Simpson.  Thornton, through his volunteer work as a coach, had established a relationship with suspect, Darius Robinson.  Thornton was able to convince Robinson to talk to police.

Vero Beach High School Athletic Director Lenny Jankowski last year appointed Thornton head coach of the freshman football team.  Thornton, a graduate of VBHS, has been volunteering as a coach there for the past several year.  He also coaches in recreation department programs.