Sheriff accused of child sex abuse resigns
UPDATE 4/8/19: The sheriff of a southern Idaho county has resigned days after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child.
The Twin Falls Times-News reports 40-year-old Lincoln County Sheriff Rene Rodriguez submitted his letter of resignation Monday.
Rodriguez was booked into Blaine County Jail Friday. KTVB-TV reports he was charged Monday with seven felonies spanning from 2005 to 2014.
The charges include sexual abuse of a child in Jerome County, four counts of lewd conduct with a child in Twin Falls and Blaine counties and two counts of rape in Lincoln and Blaine counties.
His attorney, Michael Wood, wanted to argue for lower bail but was denied by the judge.
Rodriguez remains held on $500,000 bail.
He had been on leave at his request since Feb. 4 and asked that his leave be extended another 30 days without pay. The leave ended Monday.
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ORIGINAL:
The sheriff of a southern Idaho county has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child.
The Twin Falls Times-News reports Lincoln County Sheriff Rene Rodriguez on Friday was booked into the Blaine County jail.
Idaho State Police made the arrest. Rodriguez was held on suspicion of rape, sexual abuse of a child and lewd conduct with a minor.
Rodriguez on Feb. 4 requested a monthlong period of paid leave.
His attorney, Michael Wood, in March asked that the leave be extended 30 more days without pay.
Commissioner Roy Hubert at the time said he did not know why Rodriguez had requested the leave. Wood declined to comment.
Hubert said Saturday that the unpaid leave ends Monday.
Steve Phillips has been serving as interim sheriff.
