DA rules County employee accused of theft won't face charges

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Milwaukee County Sheriff's officials say a County employee has confessed to stealing from the Sheriff's Office.

According to the Sheriff's Office, in December of 2013, the Sheriff's Office received notification that a process unit's cash register was showing shortages from money taken in.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke ordered detectives to investigate.

The investigation pointed to 38-year-old Damond Watts of Milwaukee, who confessed to stealing approximately $1,000 over a period of time.

Watts was employed by Milwaukee County since August 2012.

The Sheriff's Office sought misdemeanor charges of theft with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

Last week, Assistant District Attorney Michael Lonski did not issue a criminal charge and is recommending that it be handled as a deferred prosecution case.

A deferred prosecution means, for example, that there is a stipulation that if Watt engages in no further criminal conduct, no charge will be issued.

"A deferred prosecution normalizes criminal behavior and removes accountability.  This encourages other people in a similar position that it might be worth the risk," Sheriff Clarke said.