Former Jefferson Co. Sheriff to stay on probation

The former Jefferson County Sheriff will not get off of his probation early.

Thursday Judge Dane Watkins denied releasing Blair Olsen’s probation.

Olsen was convicted by a jury in May 2015 for issuing a county paid cell phone to his wife for personal use, which was considered to be a misuse of funds.

Olsen was sentenced to 15 days in jail, 2 years of probation and a fine.

Judge Watkins said Olsen’s original sentence of 2 years was modest for the three felony charges he was convicted of.

Watkins did decide to take away Olsen’s need for constant supervision based on good behavior.

Olsen said before the ruling by the Judge, “You know, what’s justice and what’s overkill? With all I’ve said, I believe that I’ve done what I’ve been asked to do. The times come where I ask that you consider all these things.”

Blair will have another hearing set for December.

Here are a couple of the arguments in the case that may unfold in December:

Olsen’s lawyers argued the Idaho law that does not allow the misuse of funds by a public employee is unconstitutionally vague. However, the opposing council said the use of that county cellphone was not in use for the public good; therefore, its use was clearly a violation. Olsen was prosecuted on three separate charges for that one use of the cell phone. His attorneys say that conviction should be considered as Double Jeopardy; a law that protects people from being charged multiple times for one act. The opposing council said those three charges are for the three years his wife used the cellphone.