Deputy accused of drinking with students resigns

NEWARK, Ohio - A Licking County deputy sheriff accused of drinking with students at a graduation party has resigned.

Donna Anthony, 28, resigned Wednesday just before a scheduled disciplinary meeting with Sheriff Gerry Billy.

Anthony, off duty at the time of the party, was a uniformed mentor at an area high school and was supposed to counsel students about alcohol and drugs, officials have said.

Anthony has pleaded innocent to charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and dereliction of duty.

''Miss Anthony's resignation was a personal choice made for a multitude of reasons,'' said her attorney, Larry Arnold. ''We intend to go forward with the trials, where she will have the opportunity to confront her accusers and cross-examine them under oath.''

Anthony had been with the department since July 1998.

Newark is about 30 miles east of Columbus.