UPDATE: Former Roane Co. Sheriff sentenced to home confinement

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A former Roane County Sheriff will not spend time in prison after admitting to stealing drug evidence.

Matthew "Bo" Williams has been sentenced to home confinement for 1 to 10 years.

The charges come while Williams was serving at the Spencer Police Department.

Williams was accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of meth from the Spencer Police Department's evidence room while he worked for the department.

He resigned as Roane County Sheriff in January after being sworn in in late December.

Williams faced up to 10 years in prison.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Roane County Commissioners named an interim sheriff during a special meeting on Friday morning.

Chief Deputy and former sheriff Todd Cole will serve as the interim sheriff.

Commissioners say members of the tax department and the deputies signed letters requesting Cole be named as the interim sheriff.

The position opened up on Wednesday when newly-elected Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams resigned after he pleaded guilty to entering but not breaking.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison. The charges stem from Williams being accused of taking meth evidence from the Spencer Police Department where he worked as an officer.

Two criminal cases Williams was a part of have been dismissed, and Roane County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Downey said more charges could be on the way.

Those who are interested in becoming the next sheriff need to have a letter of interest to the commission by February 3. The next sheriff must be a registered democrat.

Roane Commissioners say they hope to select the sheriff at their February 9 meeting.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Roane County Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams has pleaded guilty to entering without breaking. He has also resigned from his position as sheriff.

Williams, who faces up to 10 years in prison, was in a Roane County courtroom Wednesday.

The charges come after Williams took meth from evidence at the Spencer Police Department where he worked.

Two criminal cases Williams was a part of have been dismissed, and Roane County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Downey said more charges could be on the way.

The Roane County Commission will try to meet Friday to appoint an interim sheriff.

The Commission must appoint a new sheriff within 30 days of the interim appointment.

Williams is scheduled to be sentenced in March.

He can't go into the Sheriff's Office and can not act as a law enforcement officer.

Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure is handling the case.

Williams was sworn in as sheriff in December.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It's a personal and professional problem that has left Roane County's newly-appointed sheriff with few words to explain.

"Everything is upside down right now," Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams said.

Rather, for Williams, the criminal complaint against him speaks for itself, revealing an elected officer of the law charged with stealing drug evidence from his last job with the city of Spencer Police Department and admitting to using meth for more than a year.

"I'm taking it day by day," Williams said.

On Wednesday, Williams chatted with WSAZ for his first interview since an investigation was launched into his connection with the missing evidence. With the investigation still active, Williams says he is not able to comment on how any drug problem began.

Instead, he says, he's still planning on fulfilling his duties as sheriff, even amid calls for his resignation.

"My intentions are to do what's best for my family," Williams said. "I understand concerns that might be in the public, but my plan is to do the best job I can do for the citizens who elected me and as things play out, what will be will be."

But for now, it's a job Williams will have to perform outside his office since he's been forced out by an injunction filed by County Commissioners as part of the removal process.

Meanwhile, Roane County Prosecutor Joshua Downey says he has been forced to review Spencer Police Department cases involving Williams.

So far, two cases have been dismissed, with several more under review due to the investigation into a man sworn to serve and protect the people.

"I just hope that everybody that I've had contact with at least thinks I treated them decent," Williams said.

Now, Williams says, he's just hoping he can continue helping others for as long as he's able.

"If anybody needs help battling an addiction, please give me a call," Williams said. "I'm open to talk to anybody that would like to get help."

Downey says a hearing on the injunction, preventing Williams from entering the sheriff's office, will be held on Jan. 23.

Meanwhile, a state trooper, formerly out of Wirt County, now working in Wood County, is continuing the investigation into Williams and his association with drug evidence.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Despite facing a grand larceny charge, Roane County Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams says he intends on running the sheriff's office "to the best of his abilities."

WSAZ spoke Tuesday night with Williams, but he declined an on-camera interview.

Williams was sworn in as Roane County Sheriff late last week. He is under investigation by West Virginia State Police, related to a case of missing evidence during his time as a police officer with the Spencer Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Sheriff Williams is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of meth from the Spencer Police Department's evidence room.

Court documents say a Spencer Police officer found opened bags of meth from four cases that had gone missing in a police cruiser Williams frequently used.

Documents also say Williams admitted to Spencer's Police Chief that he struggled with a year-and-a-half-long addiction to meth.

Williams resigned as an officer in the city of Spencer in December.

Williams was arraigned and has already posted bond.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Embattled Roane County Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams was arrested Tuesday in Calhoun County, West Virginia State Police say.

Williams, who turned himself in, faces one count of grand larceny.

Williams was sworn in as Roane County Sheriff late last week. He is under investigation by West Virginia State Police, related to a case of missing evidence during his time as a police officer with the Spencer Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Sheriff Williams is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of meth from the Spencer Police Department's evidence room.

Court documents say a Spencer Police officer found opened bags of meth from four cases that had gone missing in a police cruiser Williams frequently used.

Documents also say Williams admitted to Spencer's Police Chief that he struggled with a year-and-a-half-long addiction to meth.

Williams resigned as an officer in the city of Spencer in December.

Williams was arraigned and has already posted bond.

William's arrest comes hours after Roane County Commission passed a resolution to start the removal process of Sheriff Williams.

Melissa O'Brien, president of the Roane County Commission, said, "He was arrested. The commission has done everything within our power in starting the removal process. His arrest is part of the criminal aspect of this situation and will be handled through that process."

Williams will remain as the Roane County Sheriff until he steps down or the removal process is complete, which could take 30 to 90 days.

"I think it is important for our tax-paying citizens to have a sheriff that is upstanding, moral, and ethic and he admitted to being a meth addict, so I think it's important for us to start this process. After this it's up to a panel of judges to decide if that's appropriate or not," O'Brien said.

A hearing originally scheduled Wednesday in Roane County about how the county would handle the ongoing situation has been cancelled.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Roane County Commissioners have passed a resolution to start the removal process of embattled Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams, according to the county prosecutor.

Court documents from December 30 reveal an emergency injunction to stop Williams from entering the Roane County Sheriff's Department and the Roane County Tax Office.

Williams is still under investigation by West Virginia State Police, related to a case of missing evidence during his time as a police officer with the Spencer Police Department.

Williams resigned as an officer in the city of Spencer in December.

Court documents state that Williams admitted to removing controlled substances from other law enforcement evidence lockers and admitted to a 1 and a half year addiction to methamphetamine.

The documents list that Williams admitted the details to Spencer Police Chief Greg Nichols, West Virginia State Police and Roane County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Downey.

There is also physical evidence collected by law enforcement including open evidence bags with meth removed from the bags, according to the court order.

The court order states that Williams has provided no indication to the commission or to the prosecuting attorney of any intent to resign as sheriff.

There is a scheduled hearing relating to the matter on January 4.

West Virginia State Police in Wirt County are handling the investigation into the missing evidence in Spencer.

Roane County Commission President Melissa O'Brien confirmed a swearing-in ceremony took place at the end of last week.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Embattled Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams has been sworn in as the sheriff of Roane County.

Roane County Commission President Melissa O'Brien confirmed the ceremony took place at the end of last week.

Sheriff Matthew "Bo" Williams is still under investigation by West Virginia State Police, related to a case of missing evidence during his time as a police officer with the city of Spencer Police Department.

Williams resigned as an officer in the city of Spencer in December.

Monday evening, O'Brien told WSAZ that during an organizational meeting Tuesday they would talk with the Roane County Prosecutor about whether or not there is legal merit for commissioners to gather a case to try and remove Sheriff Williams from office.

West Virginia State Police in Wirt County are handling the investigation into the missing evidence in Spencer.

Sheriff Williams is not facing any charges at this time.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.