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WTF is wrong with you, Clay County?

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Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde seems like quite the asshole.

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‘Brady List’ in 97th District includes Clay County Sheriff

The KFDX newsroom confirmed with 97th Judicial District Attorney Casey Hall by way of an open record request on Friday, December 9, 2022, that Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde is among the three names on the Brady list for the district.

Since he assumed the role of Clay County’s sheriff in 2020, Sheriff Lyde has been associated with multiple controversies, most recently involving his time serving on a Clay County hospital’s board.

Sheriff Lyde resigned as Chairman of the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Managers in October amid growing contention and uncertainty regarding the hospital’s future.

A public hearing was held on October 14, 2022, at a special called session of the Clay County Commissioner’s Court at the Clay County Courthouse Annex in Henrietta. The hearing was prompted after the Clay County Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of removing Lyde from the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors on September 27, 2022.

After the vote was cast and the hearing was set, Lyde was given the opportunity to resign from the board, which he chose not to do prior to October 14’s public hearing.

A little over a week prior, on October 3, 2022, Sheriff Lyde was named a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed against Clay County alleging a Fourth Amendment violation in the termination of a former county employee.

The lawsuit alleges the plaintiff, Ashley Culley, who formerly served as the IT administrator for Clay County, was arrested by Sheriff Lyde on a warrant “based on a sham arrest affidavit, despite there actually being no probable cause that she had committed any crime.”

According to the lawsuit, Sheriff Lyde allegedly disliked Culley due to her sexual orientation, and her arrest for a “baseless criminal charge” led to her being relieved of her duties.

Sheriff Lyde was charged with two counts of official oppression in November of 2021. The indictment alleges that in July of 2021, the sheriff intentionally held two inmates in jail longer than 48 hours, without a finding of probable cause by a magistrate.

Spoiler

Following Sheriff Lyde’s indictment, in May of 2022, Special Prosecutor Staley Heatly was expected to file a notice that the prosecution planned to address past wrongdoings by Lyde prior to his time as the sheriff of Clay County.

Among the further allegations that could be introduced in court, possibly to try to prove Lyde has shown a pattern of wrong-doing and should be removed from office, is that Lyde submitted paperwork on multiple occasions with false information between April 2010 and April 2011 in Guadalupe County.

The notice states in June of 2011, Lyde improperly contacted a witness which was interpreted as an attempt to discourage the witness from cooperation with the investigator.

In July of that year, it said Lyde admitted to submitting multiple performance observation reports with false information.

And, it says during a news conference in December, Lyde claimed he resigned from DPS because he had an argument with a superior and then got a job paying double what he was making at the time, when in fact he was forced to resign or be terminated for submitted false reports and improperly contacting a witness to an investigation.

“I’ve got skeletons, I just don’t have a closet,” Lyde said in response to allegations. “These accusations, where they are partly true, are certainly not the entire story and this is DA Heatley trying to salvage a case where there isn’t one.”

10 But wait there's more memes ideas | memes, funny memes, humor

Indictment indicates sexual harassment in Clay County sheriff’s arrest

 Indictment documents have revealed more on why Clay County Sheriff Jeffrey Lyde was booked into jail Monday night on three charges of official oppression.

The first indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed a Clay County Sheriff’s Office employee by talking about her breasts and the breasts of another employee, while also showing pictures of breasts to her on his computer.

The second indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed another woman by referring to her as “Star Trek” and telling her he “wanted to go where no man has ever gone.”

The third indictment states Lyde sexually harassed another woman when he allegedly slapped her on the buttocks. The Clay County Jail roster stated the county constable as the arresting agency. Lyde quickly bonded out and is no longer on the Clay Co. public jail roster.

Back in December of 2021, Lyde was also charged with official oppression in relation to a different incident. During a press conference, he claimed the county justice of the peace failed to magistrate two individuals within a 48-hour time period. The justice of the peace Lyde is referring to is John Swenson.

Lyde said that on Saturday, July 10, Sarah Johnson and Landon Goad were arrested and brought to jail for assault - family violence charges. Lyde said that same day, Swenson was notified about the arrest.

Swenson was reportedly then back at the jail on Sunday to magistrate two other people but not Johnson and Goad. Lyde said Swenson then came back on Monday, but again did not magistrate neither Johnson nor Goad once again. Lyde’s comments on these charges can be found here. Swenson was unseated in a runoff election against Lanny R. Evans in May 2022. Swenson told News Channel 6 there is no legal basis for Lyde’s accusations.

Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde’s suspension hearing delayed

 A hearing in the petition to remove Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde from office set for Tuesday afternoon ended as quickly as it started after a motion from Sheriff Lyde’s attorney brought the impartiality of the presiding judge into question.

The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the Clay County Courthouse on Bridge Street in Henrietta, to determine whether or not Sheriff Lyde would be suspended until a decision regarding a petition to remove him from office was made.

The courthouse set to host the hearing was full of residents of Clay County, to the point that the courtroom was standing-room only.

Spoiler

However, shortly after the hearing began, 97th District Judge Jack McGaughey said he was unable to rule on either of these motions and granted an extension to a temporary restraining order that’s been in place since the petition was filed, extending the order until January 31.

Officials said Randall Moore, attorney for Sheriff Lyde, filed a motion to recuse Judge McGaughey on behalf of Sheriff Lyde at 12:05 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, less than 90 minutes prior to the time the hearing was set to begin.

The motion brings into question Judge McGaughey’s impartiality in presiding over the case, alleging “he has personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding, and he is a material witness to the proceeding, and he participated as an advisor” to Sheriff Lyde.

As a result of this motion, Judge McGaughey may either voluntarily recuse himself from the case or allow an administrative judge to make a ruling. If that judge were to rule in favor of Sheriff Lyde, a new judge would be appointed to preside over the proceedings.

At this time, it is unclear whether or not Judge McGaughey will be recused, or when a new judge would be appointed if in fact Judge McGaughey is recused. Further details on when this will be decided are unavailable at this time.

With the temporary restraining order extended until January 31, Sheriff Lyde will continue to be prohibited from committing or attempting to commit any of the following acts against any employee of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office:

Termination
Demotion
Reduction of salary
Commission of any act to interfere with, obstruct, alter, or terminate any peace officer-related commission or certification of any employee
Make any communication that reflects unfavorably, especially to those in authority over peace officers
Any acts of retaliation

This is in addition to the conditions of bonds set by Judge McGaughey following Sheriff Lyde’s arrest on three charges of official oppression, which forbid Sheriff Lyde from having any contact with the three alleged victims in any form.

Sheriff Lyde is also not to pass by the victim’s residence, school, area of recreation, or place of employment as a condition of his bonds.

Another motion filed by Moore on January 6, 2023, to disqualify Casey Hall, 97th Judicial District Attorney, and Seth Slagle, Clay County Attorney, who represents the State of Texas in the petition, has yet to be ruled on.

The petition to remove Sheriff Lyde from office was filed on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, by attorney Frank Douthitt. Douthitt is also a former district attorney and former 97th District Judge.

The State of Texas is represented in this petition by Casey Hall, 97th Judicial District Attorney, and Seth Slagle, Clay County Attorney.

The petition filed by Douthitt to remove Sheriff Lyde from office follows recent indictments against Sheriff Lyde charging him with three more counts of official oppression. Sheriff Lyde had two official oppression charges pending from 2021, for a total of five pending official oppression charges.

Lyde’s most recent official oppression charges stemming from allegations of sexual harassment made by CCSO employees are just one item among many listed in the petition as grounds for Lyde’s removal from office.

The petition also lists controversies that surrounded Lyde during his time serving as president of the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Managers as grounds for his removal from office.

According to the petition and accompanying exhibits, Lyde is alleged to have made an attempt to secure arrest warrants against members of the Clay County Commissioner’s Court.

The petition alleges employees of the CCSO are concerned Lyde will lead or force them into acts or situations that will cause them to be sued, jeopardize their personal safety, lose their peace officer’s certification, or cause harm to members of the public.

The petitioner said the latest indictments against Lyde “demonstrate his incompetency, his official misconduct, and the criminal acts of Official Oppression and are grounds for his removal from office.”

He's also confirmed to be a member of the Oath Keepers

Edited by RPM
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atomheartbevo

atomheartbevo 89656

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7 minutes ago, RPM said:

The second indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed another woman by referring to her as “Star Trek” and telling her he “wanted to go where no man has ever gone.”

So he's a virgin teenager from the 1970s or 1980s who somehow time traveled to the present day.

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Captainant

Captainant 27658

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Posted (edited)
11 minutes ago, RPM said:

Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde seems like quite the asshole.

jeff-lyde-video-still.jpg?w=1581&h=1054&crop=1

‘Brady List’ in 97th District includes Clay County Sheriff

The KFDX newsroom confirmed with 97th Judicial District Attorney Casey Hall by way of an open record request on Friday, December 9, 2022, that Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde is among the three names on the Brady list for the district.

Since he assumed the role of Clay County’s sheriff in 2020, Sheriff Lyde has been associated with multiple controversies, most recently involving his time serving on a Clay County hospital’s board.

Sheriff Lyde resigned as Chairman of the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Managers in October amid growing contention and uncertainty regarding the hospital’s future.

A public hearing was held on October 14, 2022, at a special called session of the Clay County Commissioner’s Court at the Clay County Courthouse Annex in Henrietta. The hearing was prompted after the Clay County Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of removing Lyde from the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors on September 27, 2022.

After the vote was cast and the hearing was set, Lyde was given the opportunity to resign from the board, which he chose not to do prior to October 14’s public hearing.

A little over a week prior, on October 3, 2022, Sheriff Lyde was named a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed against Clay County alleging a Fourth Amendment violation in the termination of a former county employee.

The lawsuit alleges the plaintiff, Ashley Culley, who formerly served as the IT administrator for Clay County, was arrested by Sheriff Lyde on a warrant “based on a sham arrest affidavit, despite there actually being no probable cause that she had committed any crime.”

According to the lawsuit, Sheriff Lyde allegedly disliked Culley due to her sexual orientation, and her arrest for a “baseless criminal charge” led to her being relieved of her duties.

Sheriff Lyde was charged with two counts of official oppression in November of 2021. The indictment alleges that in July of 2021, the sheriff intentionally held two inmates in jail longer than 48 hours, without a finding of probable cause by a magistrate.

  Reveal hidden contents

Following Sheriff Lyde’s indictment, in May of 2022, Special Prosecutor Staley Heatly was expected to file a notice that the prosecution planned to address past wrongdoings by Lyde prior to his time as the sheriff of Clay County.

Among the further allegations that could be introduced in court, possibly to try to prove Lyde has shown a pattern of wrong-doing and should be removed from office, is that Lyde submitted paperwork on multiple occasions with false information between April 2010 and April 2011 in Guadalupe County.

The notice states in June of 2011, Lyde improperly contacted a witness which was interpreted as an attempt to discourage the witness from cooperation with the investigator.

In July of that year, it said Lyde admitted to submitting multiple performance observation reports with false information.

And, it says during a news conference in December, Lyde claimed he resigned from DPS because he had an argument with a superior and then got a job paying double what he was making at the time, when in fact he was forced to resign or be terminated for submitted false reports and improperly contacting a witness to an investigation.

“I’ve got skeletons, I just don’t have a closet,” Lyde said in response to allegations. “These accusations, where they are partly true, are certainly not the entire story and this is DA Heatley trying to salvage a case where there isn’t one.”

10 But wait there's more memes ideas | memes, funny memes, humor

Indictment indicates sexual harassment in Clay County sheriff’s arrest

 Indictment documents have revealed more on why Clay County Sheriff Jeffrey Lyde was booked into jail Monday night on three charges of official oppression.

The first indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed a Clay County Sheriff’s Office employee by talking about her breasts and the breasts of another employee, while also showing pictures of breasts to her on his computer.

The second indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed another woman by referring to her as “Star Trek” and telling her he “wanted to go where no man has ever gone.”

The third indictment states Lyde sexually harassed another woman when he allegedly slapped her on the buttocks. The Clay County Jail roster stated the county constable as the arresting agency. Lyde quickly bonded out and is no longer on the Clay Co. public jail roster.

Back in December of 2021, Lyde was also charged with official oppression in relation to a different incident. During a press conference, he claimed the county justice of the peace failed to magistrate two individuals within a 48-hour time period. The justice of the peace Lyde is referring to is John Swenson.

Lyde said that on Saturday, July 10, Sarah Johnson and Landon Goad were arrested and brought to jail for assault - family violence charges. Lyde said that same day, Swenson was notified about the arrest.

Swenson was reportedly then back at the jail on Sunday to magistrate two other people but not Johnson and Goad. Lyde said Swenson then came back on Monday, but again did not magistrate neither Johnson nor Goad once again. Lyde’s comments on these charges can be found here. Swenson was unseated in a runoff election against Lanny R. Evans in May 2022. Swenson told News Channel 6 there is no legal basis for Lyde’s accusations.

Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde’s suspension hearing delayed

 A hearing in the petition to remove Clay County Sheriff Jeff Lyde from office set for Tuesday afternoon ended as quickly as it started after a motion from Sheriff Lyde’s attorney brought the impartiality of the presiding judge into question.

The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the Clay County Courthouse on Bridge Street in Henrietta, to determine whether or not Sheriff Lyde would be suspended until a decision regarding a petition to remove him from office was made.

The courthouse set to host the hearing was full of residents of Clay County, to the point that the courtroom was standing-room only.

  Reveal hidden contents

However, shortly after the hearing began, 97th District Judge Jack McGaughey said he was unable to rule on either of these motions and granted an extension to a temporary restraining order that’s been in place since the petition was filed, extending the order until January 31.

Officials said Randall Moore, attorney for Sheriff Lyde, filed a motion to recuse Judge McGaughey on behalf of Sheriff Lyde at 12:05 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, less than 90 minutes prior to the time the hearing was set to begin.

The motion brings into question Judge McGaughey’s impartiality in presiding over the case, alleging “he has personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding, and he is a material witness to the proceeding, and he participated as an advisor” to Sheriff Lyde.

As a result of this motion, Judge McGaughey may either voluntarily recuse himself from the case or allow an administrative judge to make a ruling. If that judge were to rule in favor of Sheriff Lyde, a new judge would be appointed to preside over the proceedings.

At this time, it is unclear whether or not Judge McGaughey will be recused, or when a new judge would be appointed if in fact Judge McGaughey is recused. Further details on when this will be decided are unavailable at this time.

With the temporary restraining order extended until January 31, Sheriff Lyde will continue to be prohibited from committing or attempting to commit any of the following acts against any employee of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office:

Termination
Demotion
Reduction of salary
Commission of any act to interfere with, obstruct, alter, or terminate any peace officer-related commission or certification of any employee
Make any communication that reflects unfavorably, especially to those in authority over peace officers
Any acts of retaliation

This is in addition to the conditions of bonds set by Judge McGaughey following Sheriff Lyde’s arrest on three charges of official oppression, which forbid Sheriff Lyde from having any contact with the three alleged victims in any form.

Sheriff Lyde is also not to pass by the victim’s residence, school, area of recreation, or place of employment as a condition of his bonds.

Another motion filed by Moore on January 6, 2023, to disqualify Casey Hall, 97th Judicial District Attorney, and Seth Slagle, Clay County Attorney, who represents the State of Texas in the petition, has yet to be ruled on.

The petition to remove Sheriff Lyde from office was filed on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, by attorney Frank Douthitt. Douthitt is also a former district attorney and former 97th District Judge.

The State of Texas is represented in this petition by Casey Hall, 97th Judicial District Attorney, and Seth Slagle, Clay County Attorney.

The petition filed by Douthitt to remove Sheriff Lyde from office follows recent indictments against Sheriff Lyde charging him with three more counts of official oppression. Sheriff Lyde had two official oppression charges pending from 2021, for a total of five pending official oppression charges.

Lyde’s most recent official oppression charges stemming from allegations of sexual harassment made by CCSO employees are just one item among many listed in the petition as grounds for Lyde’s removal from office.

The petition also lists controversies that surrounded Lyde during his time serving as president of the Clay County Memorial Hospital Board of Managers as grounds for his removal from office.

According to the petition and accompanying exhibits, Lyde is alleged to have made an attempt to secure arrest warrants against members of the Clay County Commissioner’s Court.

The petition alleges employees of the CCSO are concerned Lyde will lead or force them into acts or situations that will cause them to be sued, jeopardize their personal safety, lose their peace officer’s certification, or cause harm to members of the public.

The petitioner said the latest indictments against Lyde “demonstrate his incompetency, his official misconduct, and the criminal acts of Official Oppression and are grounds for his removal from office.”

He's also confirmed to be a member of the Oath Keepers

Fascists, abusers, and bullies in my police force?? SAY IT AINT SO!!

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RPM

RPM 26318

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4 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:

OP don’t you live out near Chico? You of all people should be least surprised by the fuckery taking place in the Jack/Wise/Clay/Montague county corridor

There's still a Re-Elect Leroy Burch sticker on a light pole in Alvord. Don't get me started.

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Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock 7346

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10 minutes ago, RPM said:

There's still a Re-Elect Leroy Burch sticker on a light pole in Alvord. Don't get me started.

Ha! I’m not laughing because it’s funny, it’s just I know all too well it’s a different world north of 114. I had a nurse at Nocona General call the sheriff on me for bringing a patient to their ER. 

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  • RPM changed the title to WTF is wrong with you, Clay County?
TwiceHorn

TwiceHorn 31452

Posted
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6 hours ago, gyroprotagonist said:

what is the stated purpose of a sheriff's role in gov/law enforcement?  since they are elected they are inherently corrupt and not qualified to do whatever job they are tasked with.

A sheriff is the top county LEO, but the sheriff generally lacks jurisdiction in municipalities with a police force, so in more urban counties, the biggest job is running the county jail, and policing unincorporated areas.

In more rural areas, they are the top cop, for sure.

The problem is, unlike police chiefs, who are generally appointed by the city government, shire reeves are elected and can be complete assclowns.

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RDCanecutter

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7 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

A sheriff is the top county LEO, but the sheriff generally lacks jurisdiction in municipalities with a police force, so in more urban counties, the biggest job is running the county jail, and policing unincorporated areas.

In more rural areas, they are the top cop, for sure.

The problem is, unlike police chiefs, who are generally appointed by the city government, shire reeves are elected and can be complete assclowns.

Until the Coroner says "boo."

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RPM

RPM 26318

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Former Clay County Sheriff Jeffrey Lyde out of jail for medical issues

Jeffrey Lyde, former Clay County sheriff, was booked into the Hardeman County Jail in Quanah on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, to serve a 30-day sentence.

Jeffrey Lyde, former Clay County sheriff, was free from jail Thursday after suffering from medical issues, his wife, Rhonda Lyde, said.

His blood pressure spiked very high, and he was run from Hardeman County Jail to the emergency room sometime Wednesday night, she said.

"He's having very, very high blood pressure and heart palpitations," she said.

His wife found out about his medical issues early Thursday morning and brought him home from the hospital Thursday afternoon, she said when reached by telephone. He was resting, and she was trying to get him in to see his Veterans Administration physician.

Jeffrey Lyde, 56, began serving a 30-day sentence on Nov. 27 in the jail in Quanah for misdemeanor official oppression and document tampering convictions in Clay County related to his tenure as sheriff. The class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail and as much as a $4,000 fine.

The sentence was part of an agreement for his punishment reached Oct. 10 at the Montague County Courthouse for incidents July 12, 2021. A jury found him guilty Sept. 15 of oppression and tampering with a government document related to a man who was illegally held in jail. The conviction resulted in his ouster from elected office as sheriff.

As of Wednesday, he had served approximately 10 days of the sentence.

Hardeman County Sheriff Pat Laughery provided a media release Thursday afternoon about Jeffrey Lyde's release from jail.

The former sheriff was transported to Hardeman County Memorial Hospital Wednesday night in Quanah because he was having "potentially life threatening medical issues." Laws for the privacy of medical information prohibit the Sheriff's Office from disclosing the issues.

It was determined Jeffrey Lyde needed a higher level of care, so he was transported to United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls, a larger hospital, Laughery said in the media release.

At that time, Lyde was released from the jail's custody because the Hardeman County Sheriff's Office did not have the manpower to send a deputy out of the county to sit at the hospital for hours or days, Laughery said.

Laughery noted in the statement that his jail was holding Jeffrey Lyde on the Clay County sentence, and the residents of Hardeman County are and always will be Laughery's first priority.

"I could never, in good faith, leave my county unattended," he said.

Laughery stressed that Jeffrey Lyde was released for medical reasons. On Monday, Laughery will meet with a judge and attorneys to determine what the next course of action will be concerning the former sheriff.

https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2023/12/07/former-sheriff-jeffrey-lyde-out-of-jail-for-health-issues/71841878007/

 

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