County Leaders React to Charges Made against Sheriff Woolfork
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JACKSON, Tenn.- Madison County leaders call the Monday indictment of Sheriff David Woolfork a sad day for the county. A grand jury returned an indictment on counts of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery, which is a felony, and a misdemeanor count of domestic assault. Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris says there is nothing county leaders can do to remove him from office aside from the ouster lawsuit that is already in motion. “As far as I know, under State law, we don’t have any means of doing anything other than going through the ouster process,” said Mayor Harris. “I’m really sad for our whole community..” The Madison County grand jury handed down the indictment based on evidence gathered in the domestic incident between Woolfork and his former mistress Deputy Sharon Sangster on October 10. Sangster told officers that Woolfork tried to force her to have sex at her west Jackson Home. She said he grabbed her so hard, she had bruises on her arms. Sangster was granted a one-year order of protection on October 23. Woolfork’s appeal hearing on the order of protection is set for December 11. “If he is convicted of that now this is about as serious as you get,” said Arthur Johnson, Madison County Commissioner. “If the charges that have been brought are correct, then this goes much further than being a womanizer.” Commissioners said the two charges will be included in the county’s ouster lawsuit. According to Mayor Harris that process could take anywhere from three to six months “This thing can be very expensive for the tax payers of this county too, there’s no telling what we are going to be out in the end,” said Johnson. Commission Chairman Mark Johnstone released the following statement regarding the indictment: “Today’s indictment of Sheriff Woolfork is another sad chapter in this episode. The Madison County Commission has already asked Sheriff Woolfork to resign and when he id not, the Commission asked the County Attorney to commence the ouster process. Today’s news does not change the course of action decided by the Commission.” Mayor Harris said the commissioner’s request for the Sheriff’s resignation is still on the table. “Well, I think it would be within the best interest of the community absolutely I do,” said Harris. ” Officials with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said Sheriff Woolfork is scheduled to be arraigned in Madison County Circuit Court, Dec. 9.
