SEBASTIAN — A Sebastian Police Sergeant has been arrested on drug trafficking charges, according to Sebastian Police Department spokesman Ofc. Steve Marcinick.
William Grimmich, 45, of Sebastian, was arrested in the 1200 block of Main Street, Sebastian, Saturday night around 7 p.m., according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s website.
Grimmich faces charges of trafficking oxycodone and felony tampering or destroying evidence, according to authorities. He is currently being held at the Indian River County Jail on $150,000 bond.
The investigation was requested by Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris, according to a press release put out by the department.
The sergeant has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending a decision on formal criminal charges by the local prosecutor’s office. A subsequent internal administrative investigation will also be conducted to determine any administrative action, which could include termination.
Sgt. William Grimmich, a 25-year veteran of the department, has served in patrol, investigations, narcotics and as a supervisor.
He has served as the supervisor of the Investigations Division in the past, but has been a Road Patrol Sergeant for the past three years.
Chief Morris said that routine accounting and auditing procedures earlier this year revealed discrepancies in submission of controlled substances placed into the evidence room. This discovery led the Chief to immediately request an independent investigation by outside agencies.
That investigation was supported by the 19th Circuit of the State Attorney’s Office led by Bruce Colton.
“I wanted an impartial investigation by an outside agency to avoid any appearance of bias,” said Chief Morris. “Our ultimate goal is to determine exactly what occurred, who was responsible and whether this was the result of an incompetent work performance or malicious criminal behavior. I will not tolerate any misconduct of this nature.”
“While this situation is gravely disappointing, it shows the effectiveness of the good accountability systems we have in place,” she added.
Sebastian has been an accredited agency for over 12 years. The Commission For Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) requires meeting stringent best practice standards in law enforcement.
“We have consistently met those standards for over a decade,” Chief Morris said in the release. “The Sebastian Police Department recently completed our fourth reaccreditation on-site inspection and received an excellent preliminary report on our agency and its procedures.”
“Because this is an on-going investigation, it is inappropriate to discuss any details of the case,” the Chief said. “It is now in the hands of the State Attorney’s Office. We will await their decisions before completing our internal investigation.”
Due process rights and existing employment laws dictate agencies relieve law enforcement officers with pay until formal criminal charges are determined.
This article will be updated when more information becomes available.
