(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following statement was provided by Timothy Croy, Mentone Town Council president: “The Mentone Town Council was not made aware of the situation with Mr Deniston and will be investigating the situation.”)

A tip provided to StaceyPageOnline.com has unveiled an indiscretion regarding a new reserve police officer in Mentone.

On Monday night, Mentone Town Marshal James Eads introduced the department’s newest reserve, William Deniston, to the Mentone Town Council. Deniston was a full-time police officer for Akron for nine years, but that term came to an end in July.

Eads reportedly told the Mentone Town Council that Deniston was losing his position when a C.O.P.S. grant expired. But that, says our source, is not true.

“(Deniston) actually resigned from the department on July 14th,” the source says, insisting on anonymity. “That was two days after he was arrested in Indianapolis for a domestic disturbance.”

Deniston, 35, was arrested on July 12 in Indianapolis. Eads says he knew of the arrest but still defends his decision to give Deniston the opportunity to serve as a reserve. “I know Will and that was totally not like him. I think it was an isolated incident fueled by alcohol,” he explains. “He’s a good person all in all; the alcohol just took over.”

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department incident report, police were called at 3:05 a.m. Thursday, July 12, to 1340 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis. The property owner of The Old Northside Bed and Breakfast was awoken by a verbal argument and witnessed a physical confrontation between Deniston and his wife who were guests at the inn.

Upon the arrival of three police officers, Deniston was found standing in the middle of the street wearing only a pair of shorts. He was crying and talking into a cell phone “in a frantic tone.” One of the officers noted he could smell alcohol on Deniston’s breath.

The report explains: “Deniston’s behavior was erratic and he had trouble following my verbal commands … his speech was slurred and hard to understand.”

Police officers spoke with the owner of the bed and breakfast who said he witnessed Deniston pin his wife to the ground and bite her on the face. Mrs. Deniston, however, would not cooperate with police and refused to say how she received bite marks to her nose and left temple, or how she suffered an elbow injury.

The officers handcuffed Deniston, which caused him to become irate. According to the report, he then began yelling, cursing and crying telling his wife he was going to kill her. One of the officer’s told Deniston to stop and be quiet, but Deniston continued to say he hoped his wife and her children would die.

The source tells StaceyPageOnline.com that Deniston resigned the Akron Police Department on July 14 as a direct result of the arrest. Eads insists his new reserve officer had sought new employment prior to his July 12 arrest due to the C.O.P.S. grant coming to an end. In fact, Eads says Deniston had accepted a job offer from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. However, due to his arrest, that offer was rescinded.

“All in all (the Denistons) are good people,” says Eads. “I think if given the opportunity here to continue in law enforcement, he will be an asset to our community. Again, this is totally against the grain of his nature and I believe it won’t ever be repeated.”

Eads says he and Deniston expected the incident to come to public light and neither is trying to hide it. He adds, “Like any officer, he will be on a one year probation period. Something like this from him or any other officer will not be tolerated, but I’m convinced this won’t ever be repeated. It was an isolated incident fueled by alcohol.”

The Marion County prosecutor’s office says charges against Deniston were never filed and there is no plan to pursue charges.