SPENCER, W.Va. — Roane County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Downey says he’s had to dismiss two drug cases that new Roane County Sheriff Bo Williams worked on as a Spencer police officer.
“We are now reviewing current cases to see can we proceed on cases,” Downey said on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline”. “I’m sure there will be more cases dismissed in the future.”
Williams was arrested and charged with grand larceny Tuesday after allegedly stealing methamphetamine from the evidence locker at the Spencer Police Department when he was an officer there. He posted bond Tuesday night.
A judge issued a temporary injunction barring him from physically entering the Sheriff’s Office or the Tax Office.
Williams, who was elected by voters in November, was sworn-in to office as sheriff last week. The Roane County Commission has started the process to remove him from office.
Downey said one of the drug cases they dismissed had to do with Williams sending someone to jail for a controlled substance buy.
“The officer put the person in jail for that and now I have that officer admitting that he’s taking drugs, so you can see the absolute mess it’s doing for the Prosecutor’s Office right now in cases,” he said.
Downey said he has a job to do when it comes to these type of cases.
“We have a duty to only prosecute cases that we feel there’s sufficient evidence for,” he said. “I need an officer whose credible and able to get up there and testify.”
Williams has admitted to a meth addiction, Downey said, “that’s based on an admission he made back in November of 2016.”
A circuit judge will hold a hearing on the resolution. No date for the hearing has been set. If the judge finds sufficient evidence to continue the matter it will be forwarded to the state Supreme Court.