More potential victims interviewed by Vandalia cops in ex-officer case

Justin Sanderson has resigned as a part-time police officer in Phllipsburg.

Justin Sanderson has resigned as a part-time police officer in Phllipsburg.

Vandalia police are interviewing additional potential alleged victims in the case of a former Phillipsburg officer released from jail after an arrest on suspicion of rape, according to Vandalia police Lt. Kurt Althouse.

Justin Sanderson, 32, was booked into jail July 6 by Vandalia police for allegedly raping two women at a Knights Inn hotel last month. He was released after the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office said further investigation is needed.

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Althouse said Vandalia police also are still interviewing witnesses and will meet Thursday with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office to discuss the case.

Sanderson, who resigned July 10 from the Phillipsburg department, has not been charged. A telephone number listed in Sanderson’s personnel records was not in service Monday.

MORE: Ex-Phillipsburg cop was suspended for porn at juvenile courts job

Additionally, the village of Phillipsburg will be reviewing its hiring practices after the Dayton Daily News and News Center 7 uncovered suspensions Sanderson received while employed at the Montgomery County Juvenile Court, including a case where he allegedly accessed pornographic materials on the job.

Jason Treherne, the Phillipsburg village attorney, said the village was not aware of Sanderson’s disciplinary history with the Montgomery County Juvenile Courts.

North of Clayton and west of the Dayton International Airport, Phillipsburg is a village of about 553 according to Census records.

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As of Thursday, the village police department had only one employee — Chief Mark Wysong — listed as “current” on a roster of employees. Two patrol officers are on leave of absence, and a corporal will resign soon due to a full-time job elsewhere, Treherne said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responds to incidents in Phillipsburg when officers are not on duty, Treherne said.

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