Former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody has been charged with interference with the judicial process in connection with the August 11, 2023 raid of the Marion County Record. The raid targeted the homes of the newspaper’s publisher, Eric Meyer, and City Council member Ruth Herbel. Cody is accused of inducing a witness to withhold information in a felony case. The raid was initiated based on Cody’s belief that a reporter from the Record had committed identity theft, accessing the driver records of a restaurant owner. However, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey later withdrew the search warrants after determining there was insufficient evidence for the search. Two special prosecutors have announced their intention to charge Cody. It was determined that the newspaper’s staff had not committed any crimes related to the raid. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Cody, the city, its former mayor, and other government officials since the incident. The raid resulted in the death of Eric Meyer’s 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, who lived with him. The newspaper maintains that the raid was unjustified and retaliation for their reporting. Cody could not be reached for comment.
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