KY Republican House candidate arrested for strangulation in Kenton County

Austin Horn
·2 min read
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A Republican candidate for state House of Representatives in Northern Kentucky was arrested and booked for strangulation Monday night.

According to Kenton County Jail records, Brian Ormes was arrested by a Fort Wright police officer and booked into Kenton County Jail at 11:02 p.m. Monday on three charges — first-degree strangulation, menacing and fourth-degree assault with no visible injury.

Ormes, 53, is a candidate for House District 67, located in Campbell County and encompasses most of the city of Newport. The seat is currently held by House Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts, who is not seeking re-election.

Police arrested Ormes after reviewing video and speaking to witnesses who saw the incident that took place between Ormes and a 17-year-old in a local Walmart.

The teen told police that he and a friend were tossing around a ball that almost hit Ormes’ child.

Ormes then became angry and followed the the teen, according to the police report. He eventually pushed the teen, who began to walk away, from behind, and then shoved him into a shelf, according to police recounting of video footage of the incident.

That’s when police said footage showed Ormes putting his hands “in the neck area” on the teen.

The altercation left the teen with “clear and visible red marks and a scratch on the back of his neck,” police wrote.

Ormes was arraigned Tuesday morning. Kenton County Jail staff told the Herald-Leader that Ormes was in the process of being released on a $2,500 bond as of mid-day Tuesday.

According to a bond decision from Kenton County District Court, Ormes is required to refrain from contacting the alleged victim and to “stay out of all Walmarts” as conditions of his release.

Though Ormes is running for office in Campbell County, the arresting agency is in neighboring Kenton County. Both counties are immediately south of Cincinnati.

Ormes is in a primary race against Republican candidate Terry Hatton.

The Democratic candidate is Matthew Lehman, who previously ran for Congress against Northern Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.

This is a developing story that may be updated.