Former Deputy Charged with Theft, Misconduct

A former Ballard County Sheriff's Deputy has been charged with theft and official misconduct, after an investigation into money missing from a traffic stop.

Ballard County Sheriff Ronnie Giles said in a press release Thursday morning that an investigation began Monday into money that had come up missing after a traffic stop. Giles said he reviewed body camera footage, and was able to verify there was money in the vehicle at the time of the stop, and that it came up missing before the stop was concluded.

Giles said the only two people who had access to the vehicle after the suspect was taken into custody were a full time deputy and Special Deputy Derek Turner. Giles asked the McCracken County Sheriff's Department to investigate the matter. Following their investigation, Turner was arrested on charges of theft by unlawful taking under $500 and second degree official misconduct.

Turner was booked into the McCracken County Jail.

"As the sheriff of Ballard County I hold my deputies and department to a high standard of professionalism and moral conduct. Actions like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly, regardless of who it is. The people of Ballard County deserve that. Derek Turner has been removed from the special deputy roster and  can no longer act in any official capacity of my office." Giles said.