Special Prosecutor Sought For Arkansas Sheriff
An Arkansas prosecutor has asked a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to explore the possibility of removing the sheriff of Saline County following his guilty plea to a public drunkenness charge.
Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady made the request in a letter Thursday to Judge Robert Herzfeld.
Casady says ethical concerns and his previous working relationship with Sheriff Bruce Pennington had forced him to step aside from any removal proceeding.
Pennington pleaded guilty last month to resisting arrest and public intoxication.
The charges followed his arrest in late June. Afterward, he sent out a one-sentence letter saying he would retire effective October 1st, but he later changed his mind and said he wanted to finish his term and run for re-election.
Many officials have called on Pennington to leave office.