February 16, 2016 - Shelby County and Sheriff Willis Blackwell are the target of allegations which have been made by a Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy referencing the misuse of county property and retaliation against the officer.
According to court documents filed in the Shelby County Courthouse on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Derek Barbee, a 10-year officer with the department, is suing the sheriff and Shelby County for damages, special damages, costs of the suit and any financial relief the court may determine.
The allegations go into detail about the illegal use of detention center trusty labor to improve a private deer camp lease by Sheriff Blackwell. It is also alleged Sheriff Blackwell used other equipment in relation to this project including specifically, the Shelby County Sheriff's Department Mobile Command Center, Kawasaki Mule and its hauling trailer, a welding machine, cutting torches all belonging to the Sheriff's Department.
Use of tubing belonging to Devon Energy which, according to Deputy Barbee, was recovered during a theft case is alleged to have been used to construct a bridge on the deer lease property, Barbee also claims the pipe was previously used and was contaminated with radioactivity and/or poison. Deputy Barbee also alleges to have witnessed Sheriff Blackwell transporting trustys to and from the deer camp, located in Panola County.
Deputy Barbee states he reported this alleged misuse of taxpayer money and county jail trusty labor to Shelby County Chief Deputy Shad Sparks who stated he had a legal duty to report the information to a higher authority and contacting Texas Ranger Travis Brazil was the next step to take.
The documents continue to outline concerns Barbee had for his job safety and the possibility of retaliation due to his allegations, and referenced a meeting he had with County Judge Allison Harbison. The documents state during that conversation, Judge Harbison informed Deputy Barbee she had also been in contact with Ranger Brazil and the investigation was ongoing.
Deputy Barbee has been out on sick leave and during that time, according to the court documents he was contacted by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and advised he was to make arrangements for the next day to "surrender" his county owned vehicle and other law enforcement equipment in his possession. The document goes on to state Barbee feels this is retaliation if not termination of his employment.
The timing of these serious allegations cannot be ignored, as they come during the election season during the race for Sheriff, as well as the filing of the case being done on the first day of early voting, Deputy Barbee also worked under the previous Sheriff's Department administration which sheriff candidate Ricky Allen also worked under. A court of law will determine if these allegations come to bear fruit.
