Illegal Deputy - Jay Charles Sheffield Libby Montana

The Lincoln County Recall Committee received an anonymous tip that the Lincoln County Sheriff’s department under the supervision of Sheriff Daryl Anderson had employed a deputy that was impersonating an officer.It is our understanding that Jay Charles Sheffield was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in Lincoln County by Sheriff Daryl Anderson in June of 2007 and served in this position until he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in Libby in February 2009.

We contacted Wayne Ternes, (406 - 444 - 9976) Executive Director for the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council in Helena to verify this information. Wayne confirmed that there is no record on file for Jay Charles Sheffield in his system.According to Montana State Law, Sheriff Daryl Anderson was required to submit a Hirer/Termination Form to POST within the first 10 days of hiring a new deputy.

The new deputy must take the Montana State Equivalency Test, or attend Basic Training if he had not previously served as a Deputy before one year and one day in order to be certified as police officer in the state. POST confirmed they have no records on file for Sheffield, never received the Hirer/Termination form, nor do they have any records of him taking the equivalency test or any certification on record.

Additionally, we cannot find any record of Sheffield ever being sworn in and taking the Oath of Office as a deputy.

For the last 7 months in his position as a deputy, Sheffield had no authority to act as an officer as was illegally working in this position impersonating an officer. Subsequently, all complaints and tickets written by Sheffield after one year and one day into his tenured position were taken and/or written illegally. Those people ticketed now have recourse against the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and they may request the court dismiss all charges against them, require the county to refund all fines or fees paid and potentially expose the county to lawsuits as a result. Anderson and Sheffield’s disregard of the laws could potentially cost the Lincoln County taxpayers thousands of dollars.

It is apparent, both Sheriff Anderson and Deputy Sheffield have displayed a reckless disregard for Montana State law. A felony impersonation of public servant charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Jay Charles Sheffield is now serving as Justice of the Peace in Libby. There is a possibility that he could be in a position to make determinations on tickets that he wrote illegally!

Sheffield was appointed to the position as Justice of the Peace by our three County Commissioners with the assistance of County Attorney Bernard Cassidy and Sheriff Daryl Anderson. Apparently they too have displayed a reckless disregard for Montana State Law by not verifying information provided by applicants and doing a thorough background check.

Daryl Anderson’s blatant disregard of the law and the incompetency of the County Attorney and our three County Commissioners are appalling! They have potentially exposed the tax payers to unnecessary lawsuits, complaints and financial loss. This is inexcusable and unacceptable. This is an embarrassment to Lincoln County, the State of Montana and every organized law enforcement agency in the country.
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Written By DKaechele
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