Former sheriff ‘fully disputes’ sex abuse allegations

A former sheriff in Idaho says he “fully disputes” allegations that he sexually abused an underage girl for nearly a decade.

The Times-News reports 40-year-old Rene Rodriguez’s public defender Cheri Hicks told a District Court judge Monday in Blaine County that Rodriguez intends to challenge the seven charges against him: one count of sexual abuse of a minor, four counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 and two counts of rape.

The former Lincoln County sheriff resigned from his role on April 8, three days after his arrest.

Rodriguez did not enter a plea Monday, as Hicks was assigned to be his attorney that same day and did not have sufficient time to review the case.

Rodriguez is due back in court April 29 to enter a plea.