The Harford County Sheriff’s Office has suspended a Correctional Deputy without pay after a Harford County Circuit Court Grand Jury indicted him on a felony charge of theft over $1500, and multiple forgery charges on July 16, 2024.

Senior Deputy Shawn Forton, age 40, assigned to the Harford County Detention Center, was initially suspended with pay by a Harford County Sheriff’s Office commander on July 10, 2024, after an investigation into allegations of a criminal nature was reviewed by Sheriff’s Office Command.

Immediately, upon receiving the allegations from a member of the community, investigators from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Office of Professional Standards initiated parallel investigations into the allegations.

During the investigation, detectives spoke with a female victim who alleged Forton forged a check, in the name of the victim, of an undisclosed amount, and deposited it into his personal bank account. The victim and Forton were known to each other outside of Forton’s employment at the Harford County Detention Center.

Information developed during the criminal investigation was provided to the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, who then conducted a follow-up investigation to determine the appropriate charges. The investigation was presented to a Harford County Grand Jury on July 16, 2024. The Grand Jury handed down an indictment a short time later and was served by Criminal Summons on July 17, 2024. At that time, Forton’s suspension was modified due to the severity of the charges. Forton has been employed as a Correctional Deputy with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office since August 14, 2006.

Anyone who has any information pertaining to this case is encouraged to call Lt. Brandon Underhill of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office at 410-638-4480.

Of the accusations, Sheriff Gahler offered the following, “We expect the highest level of integrity from all Agency members as it is the backbone to ensuring public trust. 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.”