City: ATF raid tied to 'individual activities'
MUNCIE, Ind. — A Wednesday raid by federal agents at a Monroe Township property owned by a local government official has no connection to Muncie "city business," Mayor Dan Ridenour's administration said Thursday.
Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the raid at a property along Delaware County Road 200-W that tax records indicate is owned by Stephen D. Brand.
Brand, a Ridenour appointee, is president of the the Muncie Sanitary District Board. He is also general manager of Muncie's MAGNA Powertrain plant on the city's south side.
ATF agents were observed Wednesday on the property — which consists of a house and outbuildings — loading items into a U-Haul box truck.
More:Delaware County property reportedly raided by federal agents
A U.S. flag hanging from a pole in the home's yard was upside down, a display at times used as a signal of distress.
In a message on Facebook, Ridenour's administration said the raid was "not connected with city business in any way."
"At this time, no formal charges have been leveled, but the investigation is of individual activities," the post said.
"The city trusts our justice system to thoroughly investigate the matter and follow proper procedures," the message added. "The city will continue to provide factual updates as we are provided with verified information directly from the source."
City police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department were not involved in Wednesday's raid. A spokesperson for the FBI in Indianapolis —which conducted a six-year investigation, beginning in 2014, of allegations of corruption focused in part on the sanitary district — also said their office was not involved in this week's activities.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: City says raid at MSD official's property tied to 'individual activities'
