Federal attorneys have charged a Columbus police officer, who already is under federal investigation for misappropriating surplus government property, with threatening to shoot or stab his attorney.
Steven Dean, 49, was in federal court this afternoon on a felony count of communicating a threat. He is accused of telephoning and e-mailing the threats to his attorney, Mark Collins, on Wednesday.
Federal Magistrate Judge Terence P. Kemp ordered Dean to remain in custody after Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah A. Solove said he is a danger to himself and to the community.
Dean, who appeared without an attorney, is scheduled for a bond hearing on Tuesday.
Dean was arrested peacefully yesterday at his home at 2940 Blossom Ave. on a state charge of aggravated menacing. Federal attorneys asked today that the charge be dropped so the federal count could be filed.
The federal case against Dean is sealed and U.S. attorneys would not discuss it today or say if other charges are pending against Dean.
Dean and at least one other officer have been under investigation for more than a year after Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs discovered “potential irregularities” in the handling of military surplus given to the division through a federal program.
The criminal investigation began within the Division of Police but was then handed over to the FBI, said Sgt. Rich Weiner, a division spokesman.
Surplus property the department has received includes computers, bulldozers, trucks and forklifts.