Canton Police Officer Jason Gaug Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Possessing 17 Grams Steroid Powder
13.08.2018

Canton Police Officer Jason Gaug Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Possessing 17 Grams Steroid Powder

Jason Gaug, a 20-year veteran police officer with the Canton Police Department (CPD), has pleaded guilty to felony possession of anabolic steroids and misdemeanor obstruction of justice in Stark County Common Pleas Court on August 7, 2018. The conviction arose from the discovery of anabolic steroids at his home following the overdose death of a woman identified as Gaug’s girlfriend.

Teresa McMillen had lived with Gaug up until the week before her overdose death. McMillen had posted pictures with Gaug on her Facebook page. McMillen’s mother identified Gaug as her boyfriend.

McMillen had struggled with heroin addiction in the past but had been using Suboxone to stay clean. The Stark County Coroner’s Office reported markers for carfentanil, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and U4770 when McMillen was prononced dead at Aultman Hospital on February 3, 2018.

Stark County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies searched Gaug’s home after launching an investigation into the drug overdose death. SCSCO deputies ruled out Gaug as a suspect in the drug overdose death but they did find anabolic steroids. This resulted in Gaug becoming the target of a separate criminal investigation.

Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Fred Scott told Stark County Judge Kristin Farmer that police seized 17 grams of raw steroid powder that had been imported from China from Gaug’s home. Gaug admitted the steroids belonged to him and were purchased for his own personal use.

The plea agreement with prosecutors recommended a probationary sentence and up to 30 days in jail. If Gaug violates the conditions of his probation, he could face up to 18 months in prison. In addition, Gaug will be prohibited from employment as a law enforcement officer and must relinquish his right to possess firearms.

Gaug resigned from the Canton Police Department on August 6, 2018. Gaug was placed on paid leave on February 13, 2018. Gaug was subsequently suspended without pay on February 21, 2018. Prior to his suspension, Gaug had been assigned to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force spearheaded by the United States Marshals Service.

Stark County Sheriff George Maier told the court that the SCSO had investigated Gaug’s colleagues at the Canton Police Department to see if they had obtained steroids from him and/or were using steroids themselves. Sheriff Maier ultimately decided that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. However, this did not rule out any disciplinary action against any other steroid-using cops at the Canton Police Department.

Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo promised a full internal affairs investigation into any cops on steroids in his department along with the corresponding disciplinary action.

As far as McMillen’s drug overdose, two women were charged in connection with McMillen’s death. Alicia McCrummen and Sarah Patton were charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated trafficking in drugs. Patton pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charge. McCrummen is scheduled to face the charges in court in September 2018.

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