Ex-Champaign County sheriff Melvin pleads guilty to lesser charge after 2024 OVI arrest

Clark County Sheriff Matthew Melvin was arrested for OVI Dec. 18. This still from an Urbana Police officer's body camera shows Melvin speaking with a sergeant. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Urbana Police Department

Credit: Urbana Police Department

Clark County Sheriff Matthew Melvin was arrested for OVI Dec. 18. This still from an Urbana Police officer's body camera shows Melvin speaking with a sergeant. CONTRIBUTED
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April 23, 2025
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Former Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin was sentenced to a fine and time served under a plea deal Monday after he was arrested in December for drunk driving.

Melvin pleaded Monday to one count of physical control, meaning he had physical control of his vehicle while under the influence. He will serve 12 months of community control and pay a $250 fine plus court costs.

The former sheriff was pulled over Dec. 18 at 1:12 a.m. for traffic violations including swerving over marked lanes.

Melvin lost his bid for reelection as sheriff to Chad Burroughs earlier in 2024.

ExploreWATCH: Bodycam footage shows Champaign Co. sheriff refuse field sobriety test in OVI arrest

Cruiser and body camera footage obtained by the Springfield News-Sun shows Melvin’s pickup truck swerving and remaining stopped at a green light for about 10 seconds before entering the intersection and being pulled over by an Urbana police officer whose cruiser was behind him.

An officer remarked that there was vomit over the side of Melvin’s truck and Melvin himself smelled of alcohol.

Melvin refused a field sobriety test and was subsequently arrested. He refused a breath test and fingerprinting at the station.

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About the Author

Jessica Orozco covers crime, courts, government and more in Clark County for the Springfield-News Sun. She previously covered crime and courts for The Lima News, and before that, Orozco interned at The Columbus Dispatch on the metro desk. Orozco has a bachelor of arts in journalism from Ohio State University, from where she graduated in May 2022.