Deputy terminated

CRANE COUNTY The Crane County deputy who arrested an Oklahoma City storm spotter in early May has been released from the department.

Crane County Sheriff Robert DeLeon said in a news release that deputy Jeffery Ellison was released from the sheriff's office on Tuesday.

"As of May 20, 2008, Jeffrey Ellison is no longer associated with or employed by the Crane County Sheriff's Office," DeLeon said in the news release. "His release of employment with the sheriff's office is due to a personal matter."

DeLeon said in a phone interview that he wouldn't elaborate on the reason for Ellison's dismissal.

"At this time, I don't feel that it's appropriate to say why he was dismissed," DeLeon said.

DeLeon also wouldn't elaborate on if Ellison was released after a scuffle he had with Oklahoma City storm chaser Brian Barnes.

On May 8, DeLeon said he was sticking with Ellison after the deputy arrested Barnes, a member of Violent Skies Tours, on May 6. Barnes was charged him with "obstructing highway or other passageway," a class B misdemeanor, after he didn't report to the Crane Emergency Operations Center - "like all the other weather spotters."

Barnes spent the night in the Crane County Jail and was released on $2,000 bond on the morning of May 7.

Efforts Thursday night to reach Barnes and Ellison were not successful.