Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Brian Soler Cleared of All Charges in Theft Case

Elkton, MD – July 23, 2025 – The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the public are hereby informed that all charges against Sergeant Brian Soler, previously accused of theft, have been dismissed by the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office via a “nolle prosequi” decision on July 22, 2025, one day prior to the scheduled pre-trial hearing. Evidence uncovered during discovery has fully exonerated Sgt. Soler, revealing not only that he did not engage in any unauthorized leave or overtime as alleged, but that he is, in fact, owed over $2,500 in unpaid compensation by the CCSO.

The allegations against Sgt. Soler stemmed from an internal complaint lodged on June 4, 2024, by Lt. Michael Zack, a fellow supervisor, claiming Soler failed to report to work without proper leave. This complaint triggered a criminal investigation, authorized by Sheriff Scott Adams, despite the absence of sufficient evidence to warrant such action over a standard administrative review. Discovery documents reveal that the investigation, led by Lt. Zack, was incomplete and contained discrepancies, with the reported amount of alleged theft not aligning with the evidence presented.

Further investigation has uncovered that Lt. Zack’s actions may have been motivated by retribution. Prior to the complaint, Sgt. Soler was ordered to conduct an internal investigation into Lt. Zack two years prior, finding credible claims of Zack’s retribution against fellow officers and other behavioral issues. In response, Lt. Zack initiated the criminal complaint against Soler, seemingly as an act of retaliation. Despite the option to pursue an administrative inquiry, the CCSO opted for a criminal investigation, which lacked the necessary evidence to substantiate the charges.

Sgt. Soler, a dedicated and exemplary officer, refused to accept a plea deal, steadfast in his innocence. The false accusations led to severe consequences, including the loss of his job, public defamation through media coverage, and significant emotional and financial strain on his health and family. Despite these challenges, Sgt. Soler has shown resilience by starting a new venture, **The Turd Burglar**, a septic business serving the Cecil County community. We encourage the community to continue supporting the blue by backing Soler’s new endeavor as he moves forward from a law enforcement career that ended abruptly due to nefarious actions within the Sheriff’s Department.

Sgt. Soler’s legal team and supporters commend the State’s Attorney’s Office for dismissing the baseless charges and call for a review of the CCSO’s investigative practices to prevent similar injustices. Soler remains committed to restoring his reputation and serving his community with integrity through his new business.