Traverse City Record-Eagle

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June 1, 2010

GT County deputy arrested, jailed

By ALEX PIAZZA and ART BUKOWSKI Staff writers

TRAVERSE CITY — Police early today arrested a 12-year veteran of the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department on an alcohol-related domestic assault complaint that escalated when he fought a neighbor.

Grand Traverse Sheriff Tom Bensley today suspended the deputy, 35, of Traverse City, without pay.

Bensley refused to identify the deputy until after he’s arraigned, but state police Lt. Bill Elliott said the deputy was taken to the Leelanau County Jail because of his employment status with the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department.

A Leelanau corrections officer confirmed Kipp Needham, a Grand Traverse sheriff’s deputy, was booked into the Leelanau County Jail at 7 a.m. today.

Michigan State Police responded to a domestic assault complaint in the 4000 block of Baywood Drive in Acme Township at 12:30 a.m. today, and they arrested the deputy.

He’s accused of possessing a firearm while intoxicated, three counts of domestic violence and resisting and obstructing arrest causing injury.

Read Wednesday’s Record-Eagle for more on this story.

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