SPENCER, W.Va. — Former Roane County Sheriff Matthew “Bo” Williams will not spend time in prison after admitting he stole drugs out of an evidence locker.
Williams, 31, was given 1-10 years of home confinement on a breaking and entering charge. He was sentenced Tuesday in Roane County Court.
“I made a bad decision that took me down a road I never intended to travel,” Williams told the court. “Addiction is a powerful thing and I can tell you from experience that it can cause your body to over power your mind.”
Several family members and friends told the judge Williams is a great husband and father.
“He is a hands on dad — involved in all of his childrens’ activities from soccer to softball to dance,” said Williams’ Aunt Denise. “As Bo’s aunt, I had to sadly witness the agony he has suffered through this ordeal and see the remorse he feels for the pain caused to his family and his community.”
Pat Lefebury, assistant Wood County prosecutor assigned to the case, said the crime Williams committed has divided the community.
“You see the people that were there today in support of him and also you have the individuals that believe he should have to pay for his actions,” Lefebury told MetroNews.
Williams was elected Roane County sheriff last November. He began serving his term Jan. 1, but was taken into custody a few days later after the Spencer Police Department reported missing drug evidence from inside a locker at the department.
Williams handed in his written resignation back in January as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. He previously pleaded guilty to charges related to stolen drugs.
He admitted to stealing about 20 grams of methamphetamine from an evidence locker when he was a Spencer Police officer. Investigators also found bags of drugs in the trunk of the Spencer police cruiser he was driving.
In court Tuesday, Williams apologized to local law enforcement.
“I would to apologize specifically to law enforcement officers in Roane County including all departments — city, county and state. I know how upset with me you must be. I let you down,” Williams said.
The case, Lefebury said, has given local police a bad representation.
“It just really cast a negative impression for anyone that comes to Roane County, looking to their law enforcement. It cast that negative impression that they all act like this and that’s not the case,” he said.
Williams told the court he takes full responsibility for his actions, but Lefebury argued that.
“If he was accepting full responsibility, he would not have taken the oath of office as the Sheriff of Roane County,” Lefebury said.
Williams will be placed under home confinement beginning Thursday.