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Ex-Liberty firefighter pleads not guilty

Faces charges related to drug investigation

WARREN — A former Liberty firefighter who resigned amid a drug investigation at the department pleaded not guilty to charges he faces in connection to that inquiry Tuesday.

Joshua Cleland made his first appearance in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court after a grand jury indictment last week charging the 42-year-old with aggravated possession of drugs and tampering with evidence, both felonies.

The former lieutenant also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of drugs.

Cleland, who appeared before Judge Andrew D. Logan, waived his 120-day speedy trial time, pushing his trial date back to Aug. 23. A $1,500 cash surety bond that he posted at Girard Municipal Court was continued. Cleland was assigned pretrial release, in which he has to undergo drug tests.

If found guilty to all charges, Cleland faces a maximum of six-and-a-half years in prison.

Cleland and two other ranked firefighters, Lt. Justin Graham and Capt. Chris Olson, were forced out of the department last spring following an investigation that arose after the April 12, 2020, death of Liberty firefighter / paramedic John Beard. Beard had died from an accidental drug overdose.

In March 2021, an arbitrator ruled in favor of Liberty firefighter Cathy Macchione, who had been demoted during the investigation, reinstating her to her prior rank as captain inspector.

The probe also led agents with the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force to raid Cleland’s Warner Road home last spring.

rsmith@tribtoday.com

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