A Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputy allegedly lied about the number of hours of community service he worked as part of a program aimed at expunging an earlier count of retail theft, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Deputy First Class Mark B. Jordan, 28, of Shrewsbury Township, Pa. was charged Sept. 13 with felony perjury as well as three misdemeanors; two counts of false swearing and one count of tampering with public documents, according to court records. He was released on $10,000 bail.
The new charges were filed after Pennsylvania State Police said Jordan did not complete 24 of 50 community service hours mandated by a Pennsylvania court as part of a pre-trial diversion program, despite submitting sworn, notarized documents stating he met the requirements. The program would have allowed Jordan to clear his record before facing a hearing on the theft charge.
Jordan was charged July 18 with retail theft after Pennsylvania State Police said he placed two handheld radios and a flash drive worth a total of $50.75 into his daughter’s backpack and walked out of the Shrewsbury, Pa. Wal-Mart on July 8.
According to the office of Magisterial District Judge Jeff Joy, who presided over the original retail theft case, Jordan initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but on Aug. 15 applied to the York County Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. The program allows certain non-violent offenders to have charges against them dropped, while not admitting guilt, and see their records potentially expunged if they meet court-ordered requirements.
Joy accepted Jordan into the program and set the number of community service hours Jordan needed to complete at 50, his office said. However, the exact methods by which he would serve those hours was determined by the York County Probation and Parole Department.
Pennsylvania State Police said that less than two weeks after being assigned to the ARD program, Jordan submitted “sworn, notarized documents” indicating he had worked all 50 hours of community service, 24 of them at the Shrewsbury, Pa. YMCA.
State Police said a subsequent investigation revealed that Jordan did not complete any hours of service at the YMCA.
Jordan was suspended with pay on July 9, Harford County’s Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Monica Worrell said at the time. Agency spokesman Capt. Keith Warner said Tuesday that Jordan was suspended without pay during the week of Sept. 10, the same time the new felony charge was filed. Warner said he did not believe Jordan had returned to service since his initial suspension.
According to Pennsylvania online court records, Jordan is scheduled to appear at a summary hearing before Joy on Thursday. Joy’s office said a preliminary hearing on the perjury and falsification charges has been delayed pending the assignment of a new judge, as Joy has recused himself from that case.
Before entering the ARD program, Jordan faced a first-offense penalty of a fine between $100 and $250 for pleading guilty to the retail theft charge, state police said.
You are a true embarrasment to the HCSO and you should be fired now. Felony charges would at least allow HCSO to suspend this idiot without pay.
He is truly an embarrassment to the HCSO. He used his children to help in his theft. Hopefully he will be fired. Try and defend his honor as being part of the thin blue line….ain’t gonna happen
Uncle Jesse believes in rehabilitation, not punishment.
If he plans to keep his job….he won’t be alone…….Just commit a crime and you can keep your job as a police office. Wonder if the can start their own union?
Does it surprise you that “Uncle Jesse” has not fired Jordan? It doesn’t surprise me at all. Jordan should have been fired upon conviction of the theft, which said court hearing and conviction occurred well before September 13th!
Now, Jordan is facing FELONY charges in this report!
There is NO place in any law enforcement, including clerical, or any other civilian type of job within any law enforcement agency for a thief….especially when that thief USES HIS OWN CHILD to help him commit the crime!
When will the Sheriff, if ever, do what is morally and ethically right?
Stop questioning Uncle Jesse. He will do the right thing…right AFTER the next election. It worked well once, why not try it again.
Another black eye for the HCSO…Future Union President? Look at the integrity of the two prior to the present one? Sure makes you wonder??
Prayers that the Sheriff will get it together and clean up his messes…and they are his no matter what….The price you pay to be on top…
Good luck and God’s Blessings Sheriff
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Posted by Knowthetruth | September 25, 2012, 7:28 pm 0 0
“God’s Blessing Sheriff”???? The price Sheriff Bane paid to be on top was to jump into bed with the first union president you mention. Keeping the guy on the job even when he should have been fired for lying because he brought the Sheriff support and donations. He then sold his soul to the next union president for re-election. Bane has been bought and paid for same as a prostitute on the street corner, the only difference is that instead of selling sex, Jesse has sold his own integrity and the integrity of the Office. That’s the truth knowthetruth.
@Deputy Dog,
Kindly re-read my post and before you go off half cocked at me, realize we are on the same side of the fence here. My prayer is that the Sheriff pulls it together and at least attempts to stop the bleeding in this area, instead of just aiming negative accusations , true or not toward another human being. I’ve been in and around this department much longer than I imagine you have been. The Sheriff was a mere DFC when I started in law enforcement.
And as a Christian, I wished him well to fix the problem, although it realistically seems it’s beyond his control now.
Stop, Think, take a breath before posting against someone who is an allie…..
God’s Best to you Deputy Dog….
And this is the truth!!
@KTT,
Yes, we may be on the same side of the issue, but where you see all of this beyond Bane’s control now, but hope he can get a handle on it, I see that he is the root cause of all of these issues. How can a man of no integrity correct an integrity issue?
Well maybe a good house cleaning on the second floor would be a start, but we all suspect that won’t happen. Possibly enough attention could be raise to start an independent investigation into his actions? Perhaps if enough political pressure is put on him he would be forced to do something. Heck maybe even an impeachment inquiry if all these actions continue and criminal acts by Deputies occur once again. He is in fact responsible for the conduct of these embarrassing Deputies, who make the others who honestly work and serve look poor in the public’s eye. Maybe he would be forced to resign, and the Governor would replace him?? The only problem with this is that most of these horrendous events fall under the realm of how he administratively has handle things or run his department. Again historically the Courts have ruled on the side of the State and backed away from getting involved in ruling on how a Sheriff or Chief runs the department. Moreover as everyone has stated and historically the Union has been weak in this field. Oh yes, they fought for Question “A” in 1994, but settled right in with the elected Sheriff afterwards. And also the Union President has been bought before….as we all know, everything from a special patrol sector and the only unmarked car in patrol at the time, to remaining on the job after admitting to lying and perjury, and others that that followed skating on fraud accusations off duty. Come on we do need God and some miracle to reset our pride within….And one other concern expressed here, the whistleblower and ill Cpl terminated…. It has been done to others in the past who stood up to the administration…. So what is the answer?
God’s Best to you…
Black Eye Nothing?!? Thats more like two black eyes and a broken nose
When you allow a patrol major to headhunt this sets an example. Jesse Bane did not force Mark Jordan to steal, Mark is a big boy. But it sets an example when your HR Specialist tells a Cpl that he is being targeted, he files an internal investigation against the patrol major which goes out of county to the Caroll County Sheriffs Office and is sustained, but Sheriff Bane covers it up calling it a “policy error”. Then the Sheriff fires the whistleblower from HR and the Cpl that has health issues. Plus he waits till election eve to get rid of another one of his handpicked failure Majors(who was also convicted of shoplifiting). Jesse Bane has managed to run this agency into the ground in 6 years. This along with the stupidity of people like DFC Mark Jordan makes everyone look like an idiot. Its not fair, its not ethical, its not what he was elected to do, and its not a positive reflection on the sacrifice that the men and women of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office do everyday. It needs to stop now, the Union board has failed to act and for that they are also part of the problem. Jesse Bane needs to go and needs to go now.
This is not an issue of how PA handles their first time caught thieves.
It is not an issue of the technicalities within the PA justice system.
It is not an issue if he did or did not complete his community service.
The issue here is this man is a thief. No more, no less, he is a thief.
There is no room, anywhere, within the HCSO for a thief. Never has been or will there ever be.
Mr. Jordan, save whatever dignity you have left and submit your resignation immediately. Absent that, Sheriff Bane fire this man now!
This is sad. Two deputies die in the line of duty in the Sheriff’s Office and did so with honor. Now I see this moron who is allowed to stay on the job and I hear of a person who got fired for admitting he was not feeling well. When is enough enough. I went to the funeral for both deputies that died in a LODD. I listened to Sheriff Bane talk about how he cared about his people and this is the way he runs an agency? I dont work for the Sheriff’s Office hence my screen name but I am disappointed in the way that my fellow brothers and sisters are being treated. I hope things get better.
I remember a few years back a female deputy exposed her breast at a bar in Belair and she was fired within a couple weeks. She was promptly hired by another agency. Theres clearly a double standard and a serious lack of integrity by the Sheriffs office leadership.
That was simply a miscommunication…she thought the guy sitting next to her said “nice bra” but what he actually said was “nice bar.”
Maybe Sheriff Bane is not all he should be and maybe he’s made bad decisions – who hasn’t. Yep, I agree – a felony conviction of a deputy – the guy should be looking for a new job. But to say Jesse Bane has NO integrity goes a little too far. How the heck do you know? Do you live with this man 24/7? Have you been there when he was caring for an invalid brother? Were you there when he quietly, without fanfare, paid the funeral bill for a neighbor who couldn’t afford to bury his wife? Have you been at the countless community events he’s attended on his own time to support Harford county disabled and county youth? Nobody should hold an elected job forever and maybe his time to go is close at hand but to say Jesse Bane has NO integrity shows a fools arrogance.
I thought this was clearer in the story, but maybe not: Jordan has not been convicted on either the retail theft charge (a misdemeanor) or the newer perjury charge (a felony).
The ARD program is a pre-trial diversion program which allows a person charged with a crime to answer the charge by completing court-mandated requirements, while not admitting guilt, and possibly see their record expunged.
Not taking a side either way on the issue under debate, but I wanted to be clear about the status of the charges against him.
Alford plea. ARD sounds like an alford plea.
In an Alford Plea, the criminal defendant does not admit the act, but admits that the prosecution could likely prove the charge.
Hey Guys,
An Alford Plea is a conviction.
Completion of the ARD program results in two things; dismissal of the charges and expungment of the arrest record. Pennsylvania Code Title 324, §3-319 and §3-320 deal with the specifics of this process.
Rule 319. Procedure for Obtaining Order for Dismissal Upon Successful Completion of the Program. – When the defendant shall have completed satisfactorily the program prescribed and complied with its conditions, the defendant may move the court for an order dismissing the charges.
Rule 320. Expungment Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program. – (A) When the judge orders the dismissal of the charges against the defendant, the judge also shall order the expungement of the defendant’s arrest record, subject to the provisions of paragraph (B).
There is a bit more to it, but that is the gist of the procedure to dismiss the charges and expunge the arrest.
Paul
That is called campaigning.
All those things you describe might show that he has compassion of some sort, but we have also seen Sheriff Bane persecute a female employee with a serious illness and terminate a male deputy with health issues. I guess these two couldn’t do anything for him, so it’s out with the trash. Do not confuse this “Benefit Bane Compassion” with the issue of integrity. He has kept employees on the payroll for lying and stealing, covered these issues up to the extent he could, and throws out made up information like it is candy. I stand by my statement that Bane has NO INTEGRITY.
Walmart has cameras and very strict Loss Prevention policies on making a “stop”. The video of the alleged incident would certainly tell the story.
So yes,I’m thinking… the prosecution would likely prove the charge. Its all on film.
Is community service really that difficult to do? Hell, I wish it was as easy as picking up trash to get out of trouble.
I can’t believe Jesse & co. kept this idiot around after hie first conviction. It’s time for both of them to GO.
Maybe you can enter a Alford plea in an internal affairs cases now? Even if he would have completed this community service, why didn’t the fact that he used his kids as a mule in a crime not cost him his job? What is the Sheriff’s thinking behind this?
Unfortunately, if the HCSO were to terminate this individual before he was convicted, they could be subject to later litigation if he were to be acquitted. Since the charges were misdemeanors, he was suspended with pay until he completed the ARD program, which would have resulted in the charges being dropped. Now that he is charged with a felony, he is suspended withOUT pay, but since he has not been found guilty of this crime as yet, the HCSO would still face the same litigation were he to be fired and found not guilty. This is probably why he has not been terminated.
The honorable thing for him to do would be to resign. Of course, if the charges against him are true, there seems to be little honor involved.
Marc….you know that a stet docket would almost assure the deputy to keep his job. The IA would be internal and maybe a strip lost and some time off, but he could keep his job. Jordan could have saved his job, EVEN THOUGH HE USED HIS KID IN THE CRIME. Just look at some other cases…..they kept their jobs and still are members of the thin blue line and court cases that were quashed. BTW i’m on ur side
Where do they find their staff Lewisburg?
So he wasn’t convicted, in a court of law, and he can still get his job back. He would lose a strip and get that back and still be able to arrest people for the same crimes. Oh wait..that has already happened and still happens.
It’s shameful, disheartening and just plain wrong what the Sheriff and his followers have done to the honest, honorable members of the department. Sort of ” Polar Opposites” if you would…..Just no honor, integrity or pride in that group….hey folks how do you look at yourselves in the mirror in the morning????
Maybe seek assistance from God’s strength to change your ways…..
My post from 7/21/2012
If you allow one deputy to stay and continue to work in applicant investigation after an integrity issue until retirement. Then allow another to continue to work the streets after another integrity issue and they only have the loss one stripe. How can you charge and suspend another deputy with an alleged integrity violation? If you are willing to give passes to the first two, what are you going to do with the others? Did the third deputy pound signs for you or did they donate money to your campaign? This seems to be how decisions are based. The way you handle integrity issues seem to have been established from day one of the first term. If this is the case then Jordan should pay his fine and go back to work. Integrity does not seem to be an important issue for this Administration. Your punishment policy seems to be as flawed as your promotion policy.
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POSTED BY MARC EATON | JULY 21, 2012, 11:24 PM 2 2
I think it is important to note that he has been charged, not convicted of anything as of yet. I am not taking a side in this whatsoever, just pointing out that everyone is entitled to due process.
Also, has he grieved the fact that he is suspended without pay when a major was suspended with pay for 8 months for criminal allegations? I would think that a smart attorney, or union rep, would call the sheriff on that fact. What’s good for one should be good for all.
RandomPoster1, he was charged and basically pleaded guilty to the first charge. I am sure now that original deal will be withdrawn. Either way, why was he still working? Would you want him to handle a case for you? As a judge would you want him testifying in your court?
No Marc he chose the diversion program which would have resulted in expungement. Would I want him working a case? No, and I think the resulting IA would have found the same and he would have been terminated. My point was that there is an established fact within the agency that those that support the sheriff, or have dirt on him (such as sueing for promotion,) are untouchable in the bigger picture. So my point is how can you suspend one without pay but suspend another with pay? My point is it’s time for the county and citizens to call the whole command staff to the carpet and start demanding answers. Over $100,000 paid to someone accused of felony crimes to sit at home for 8 months. Seems like fraud/waste/abuse to me.
this is what i’ve said all along. the same assholes that are putting us in jail belong there themselves. the harford county sheriffs office is a joke…and the joke is on all harford co citizens. the next time y’all go out on patrol, you only have to look in the seat next to you to find some asshole to cuff…didnt we just catch another member of this fine establishment stealing tools from home depot…sorry i have to stop, i’m too busy laughing my ass off
You poor little deprived marginalized fraction of society. For those of us that only occasionally come in contact with HCSO and the legal system because of our regrettable interaction with people of your ilk, I’ll take them over you any day of the week. And please use your real name so we can see what kind of upstanding citizen you are. Because I have my doubts. Please get a job that actually requires you not scamming off society and also please learn some basic Elementary English and Grammar skills. And the word you were looking for is condemnation.
Based on your comments you should be thanking them, I’m sure the DC has provided many nights of shelter and meals for you.
That last comment was meant for the comment above yours David, not you.
@ people for the condamnation of deputies- Dont you dare compare yourself to me and my family. “the same assholes that are putting us in jail” You belong in jail. I DO NOT CONDONE A DEPUTY WHO COMMITT’S a crime. I dont agree with you or him/her. Do not use anything close to my screen name to bash the HCSO. Most of us work hard everyday and dont need an idiot like you to say different.
HEY MAN IS CHOOSING A USERNAME A CATAGORY OF FREE SPEECH?
HEY MAN I NOTICED I GOT A THUMBS DOWN. HOW COULD AN AMERICN CITIZEN THUMB DOWN FREEDOM OF SPEECH?
Must be some self righteous in the closet communist who troll these news articles stomping their feet at everything they don’t like and saying it should be changed because they don’t like it.
YEAH
YEAH LETS GET PISSED OFF AND REMOVE PEOPLE’S FREEDOM OF SPEECH BECAUSE YOU DON’T AGREE WITH IT.
People have their own thoughts an opinions? HOLY HELL, THIS IS NEW INFORMATION! TOTALLY UNHEARD OF!
Total communist move there, Josef Stalin.
Huh?
Hey, you can’t use that name. That guy seemed really pissed that you were making a mockery of something that he probably spent hours trying to devise.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH ISNT FREE.
Freedom of speech is free, however, it often comes with repercussions.
Aaron, any update on this case?