Sergeant in Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office accused of misconduct

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A high-ranking member of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office failed to arrest two people with outstanding warrants, authorities say.

The agency said Thursday that Sgt. Ryan Schmuecker has been cited on suspicion of neglecting to serve a warrant and official misconduct.

In mid-February, Schmuecker came into contact with two people who had arrest warrants for failure to pay fines, according to Sheriff Terry Wagner.

But Schmuecker let them go, Wagner said, and told them to pay their fines.

The sheriff called that a potential violation of state law.

“Because of the potential crime that had occurred, I asked the Lincoln Police Department to investigate the conduct and determine whether or not it constituted criminal activity,” he said.

Wagner said he couldn’t speculate on why Schmuecker decided not to make the arrests.

He also opened an internal investigation, and Schmuecker has been placed on administrative leave.

Schmuecker has been with the sheriff’s office for 19 years and is a shift supervisor in the patrol division.

This isn’t the first time he has faced allegations of misconduct, according to Chief Deputy Ben Houchin.

In 2021, Schmuecker said a suspect threw away a bag of marijuana and methamphetamine. But the other deputy on scene didn’t see that.

Schmuecker then detained the suspect, which a court later deemed unlawful.

And while the suspect was in handcuffs, Schmuecker found two bottles of alcohol.

Houchin said the suspect asked if he could have the bottles, and Schmuecker gave them to him.

In the eyes of Judge Susan Strong, that was misconduct.

She dismissed the case in August 2022 over the alleged misconduct.

Wagner said if Schmuecker is convicted, he would be forced to resign.

“I believe the statute says that if he’s convicted of neglecting to serve a warrant, then he’ll forfeit his office,” the sheriff said.