Local Man Believes Kalkaska County Does Not Have a Legal Sheriff - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Local Man Believes Kalkaska County Does Not Have a Legal Sheriff

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Walter Sbresny knows the Kalkaska Sheriff's Department well; he's currently facing medical marijuana charges after deputies raided his home, last year. His defense is that he believes Kalkaska County has no legal Sheriff's Department.

Sbresny uncovered paperwork showing that Sheriff Israel signed his oath of office in 2008; but, Sbresny says Israel should have filed that with the County Clerk within 60 days. A date from the Clerk shows a gap of nearly 200 days.

Sheriff Israel tells a different story, he says his Deputies were properly sworn in, and he says he hasn't done anything wrong. Sbresny says based on the law, Sheriff Israel's Deputies can not legally enforce the law, either.

Sbresny tells us he's sent the paperwork to the Governor's office, the only person who can remove a Sheriff.

There's a long way to go, but these allegations could have far-reaching consequences. The Kalkaska Board of Commissioners plans to seek legal counsel, Sheriff Israel says he will do the same.

Reporting in Kalkaska County, Sara Simnitch and Photojournalist, Jeremy Erickson.