The ordeal of Deputy Brandon Claggett has come to an end.

The Clackamas County Sheriff deputy’s 14-year career concluded when he
resigned Oct. 7 from the department after it was alleged he inappropriately
touched a female while she was riding in his car.

Claggett, 37, was the chief drug enforcement officer for the Mountain
community – a program dubbed "Weed and Seed."

According to a sheriff’s report Claggett was involved in taking a teenage girl
on rides while he was in uniform and driving his patrol car. The internal
investigation report also indicated the deputy had sent sexually explicit photos
of himself to the girl via his cell phone.

Claggett was placed on administrative leave July 8 when the department
deemed it necessary to investigate allegations of misconduct. The Department
of Justice had notified the sheriffs of the allegations.

In mid-September a criminal investigation was completed and presented to
the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office.

That office reviewed the allegations and chose not to continue the process
based on the information at hand.

"They looked at the case and declined," Deputy Jim Strovink told The
Mountain Times. "They decided the elements just weren’t there."

Following the DA’s decision, the sheriff’s office took up an internal
investigation, which ended when Claggett resigned. The department stated
that "the internal investigation is closed," in a press release by Lt. Kevin
Layng of the sheriff’s office.

According to the report, Claggett was involved in about five patrol car rides
with the girl – now 20 years old – over a three-year time frame.

It is possible the Department of Standards may take up the issue to
determine whether or not Claggett can continue to seek employment as a law
enforcement officer, according to Strovink.

William Bergin, a Sandy police officer, was placed on administrative leave in
July due to information the department had uncovered during the Claggett
investigation.

Bergin resigned from the Sandy police Oct. 24.