Auglaize County sheriff decries community ‘misinformation’ about upcoming talk

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A local sheriff is speaking out after residents contacted him regarding misinformation circulating about a talk he is set to give this weekend.

A group of residents has requested Auglaize County Sheriff Michael Vorhees to speak at the American Legion Annex in Wapakoneta on Sunday, May 19. For the event, organizers requested Vorhees talk about disaster preparedness in Auglaize County.

“My purpose for this talk is to meet with a small group of Auglaize County Citizens that are concerned with what is happening in our country and county and to discuss how Auglaize County is receiving information and our local preparedness” to handle tornadoes, active shooters/threats, disasters and scams, wrote Vorhees in a letter posted to Facebook .

The sheriff claims “multiple people” have contacted him about circulating rumors surrounding the topic of him discussing individuals who would be in the county illegally, as well as “terrorist type activity” at Sunday’s event.

In the message to county residents, Vorhees denounced the rumors. The Auglaize County sheriff classified the rumors as “misinformation.”

“The talk will continue as planned and I will only be discussing my original talking points that I set-up with this small group,” said Vorhees. “I will not be discussing any of the misinformation that has been spread around the community.”

Vorhees has participated in similar speaking sessions for years. He has discussed tips to stay safe if in active shooter or threat events, scams and cyber crime events.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.