STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- A sheriff in Ohio says a renegade group has been attacking fellow Amish, cutting off their hair and beards.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla in Steubenville said Thursday that his deputies have been hampered by the reluctance of Amish to press charges.

His office is working with sheriffs in Carroll, Holmes and Trumbull counties investigating attacks. No charges have been filed but several victims suffered minor injuries.

The sheriff says men and sometimes women from a group of families disavowed by mainstream Amish have terrorized a half dozen or more fellow Amish. They allegedly cut the beards off men and the hair off men and women.

The sheriff says the motive may be related to religious differences involving 18 Amish families who have drawn previous attention from law enforcement.