Loretta Nash, a 58-year-old 911 dispatcher from Ohio, has found herself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly making a harassing phone call to a woman she targeted. The call, which took place on June 6, resulted in Nash facing two misdemeanor charges: telecommunications harassment and prohibited use of 911 system data.
The Background of the Case
The conflict between Nash and the victim, Karen Clinton, dates back over 15 years. Clinton, who lives in Twinsburg, Ohio, had called 911 numerous times over the years, which led to Nash’s alleged motive for the insulting call.
On the day of the incident, Clinton received a call from the Twinsburg Police Department, as identified on her caller ID. When she picked up, she was shocked to hear Nash on the other end.
Clinton, a former firefighter and police dispatcher, told local news outlets that her heart raced upon seeing the police department’s number. She felt a sense of dread, fearing she might be in trouble or facing an emergency. However, the call turned out to be anything but a real emergency.
The Insulting Phone Call
In the call, Nash, allegedly pretending to be part of the police department, began by listing statistics related to Clinton’s neighborhood. She reportedly told Clinton, “Congratulations, you’ve won the prize,” and then proceeded to mention the number of 911 calls Clinton had made over the years, traffic details conducted, and traffic stops made on her street.
The situation quickly escalated as Nash began insulting Clinton. She reportedly called Clinton the “dumbest person” for repeatedly calling 911, saying, “You are the dumbest person to call this police department on a repeated basis.”
Nash then ended the call by sarcastically wishing Clinton a “wonderful life” and telling her that she had “won the booby prize.”
The audio of the call was recorded, and Nash’s harsh and unprofessional comments left Clinton speechless. The dispatcher’s actions were seen as a direct violation of her duties and a personal attack on Clinton, leaving the victim traumatized.
Clinton’s Reaction and Legal Action
Clinton, deeply upset and humiliated by the call, described how the experience “terrorized” her in her own home. In interviews with local news outlets, she said the call was meant to embarrass her and imply that she had been making frivolous calls to 911, which she denied.
Later that night, Clinton received an apology from the chief of police, but she chose to press charges against Nash for harassment. Clinton filed a complaint and pursued legal action.
As a result, Nash was charged on July 9, arraigned on July 10, and pleaded not guilty. A court hearing is scheduled for July 29, with a trial planned for September 22.
Nash’s Termination and Public Backlash
Nash is no longer employed by the Twinsburg Police Department. Her actions, described by Clinton as “cruel” and “heinous,” led to public outrage. The local community, as well as Clinton, have voiced their anger over Nash’s behavior, with many condemning her for using her position to harass and intimidate a citizen.
In court documents, the charges against Nash state that she “made the telecommunication with purpose to harass, intimidate, or abuse a person at the premises.” The case continues to draw attention as Clinton seeks justice for the emotional distress caused by the unprovoked and malicious call.
Loretta Nash’s actions have resulted in legal consequences, and her former position as a 911 dispatcher has been marred by this incident. Clinton’s pursuit of justice highlights the importance of holding public servants accountable for their behavior.
As the case progresses, the community waits to see how the legal system will address Nash’s unprofessional conduct.
