Sheriff resigns, lawsuits comes to end Grant County Sheriff Ray Vance resigned from office effective today, Monday, Aug. 18 after serving just over 42 months as Grant County’s elected sheriff. The move comes as a surprise to many who have watched the sheriff for more than a year fight a lawsuit to remove and disqualify him for being in violation of the constitution following disclosure of an infamous crime conviction incurred in Kansas almost four years ago. Vance’s letter – addressed to County Judge Kemp Nall – states the resignation covers the remainder of his present term in office and his wish for the department to continue operating smoothly. As of now, Vance is the only candidate on the November ballot for sheriff. He was re-nominated unopposed during the May 22 Democrat primary. Special Prosecutor John McQuary filed a motion for dismissal acknowledging the sheriff’s resignation satisfies the state’s complaint to remove him for the current term. Vance said he “felt it is best for all parties concerned to end the ongoing litigation.” He wrote that it has been a great honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Grant County. “My desire is to conclude any issue regarding this service through the end of this term,” the statement said. Vance received an expungement in February after two unsuccessful attempts to convince the Kansas courts to vacate his conviction for misrepresenting his legal residency on a lifetime resident hunting license application. He pleaded no-contest to the misdemeanor charge in November 2010 only days after being elected to his first term as sheriff. He signed a plea agreement and returned it by mail along with a check for approximately $13,000 to cover his fine and restitution for the deer and turkey he killed over a three-year period. The conviction came to light in April 2012 during Vance’s campaign for a second term. That August, then-prosecuting attorney Eddy Easley recused himself from pursuing the case and turned it over to McQuary. After several months of investigation, McQuary filed a petition to remove the sheriff from office on grounds that Vance had committed an infamous crime and is constitutionally unqualified to hold “an office of public trust” as stated in Article 5 Section 9. Despite Vance receiving an expungement in February, McQuary never-the-less continued to pursue the removal, apparently only interested in removing the sheriff during this current term. In a hearing lasting less than 30 minutes today, Judge Williams recounted the history of the case and said he understood from news reports that Vance had tendered his resignation. Williams asked Vance if he fully intended to resign throughout the remainder of the year and not change his mind and come back early. Judge Williams expressed his admiration for Vance, saying he had known him and his wife for a long time. He told him he thinks he’s one of the greatest sheriffs Grant County has ever had. “But,” the judge added, “mistakes were made and I just don’t think you can remain as sheriff. I think the case is so strong that you can’t remain. The state says you have to go.” McQuary interjected that his motion to dismiss pertained only to the sheriff’s current term. Judge Williams granted the motion and ordered the lawsuit dismissed as he wished Vance good luck in his future endeavors. The order also noted that Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 41 precludes anyone from suing the sheriff themselves over this same complaint. In an interview outside the courtroom, Vance said he apologizes to the people of Grant County for any negativity that has been reflected because of his actions and the misunderstanding that occurred in Kansas.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:19:37 +0000
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