Harford Correctional Deputy Charged In Domestic Assault: Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — A correctional deputy is facing assault charges following a domestic dispute and has been suspended without pay, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Senior Deputy Michael Vasiliou, 40, of the 1400 block of Primrose Place in Belcamp, has been charged with first and second-degree assault.

Vasilou was hired in 2005 and worked at the Harford County Detention Center Interagency Processing Center. He is now the subject of parallel internal and criminal investigations, officials reported Wednesday.

Authorities said the assault charges stem from an incident that occurred on Monday, March 13, involving Vasilou and his estranged wife.

At 10:44 p.m. that day, deputies from the northern precinct responded to the home of Vasilou's wife. She informed officers that she and Vasilou had gotten into a verbal altercation in a vehicle that escalated.

Vasilou is accused of pulling out a personal handgun and hitting his estranged wife in the head, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Authorities said she was injured.

There were three children in the vehicle at the time, officials said, but none was harmed.

Vasilou was arrested in a residence in Bel Air at 1:30 a.m. on March 14, according to officials. He appeared before a commissioner and was released on his own recognizance.

His correctional powers have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations, which officials said may result in his termination from the agency.

Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said that he was "deeply disappointed" by the allegations.

"At this time, our focus is on the victim and children," Gahler said. "Their safety and well-being is of great importance to me."

Statement from Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler on March 22:

"At this time, our focus is on the victim and children, their safety and well-being is of great importance to me. I was deeply disappointed to hear of the alleged actions of our Correctional Deputy. As Sheriff, I firmly believe the community we serve deserves transparency and accountability and the actions taken in this case demonstrate our deep commitment to earn and maintain our community’s trust."

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