On November 30, the Trigg County Grand Jury indicted Sheriff Aaron Acree on four misdemeanor charges — single counts of fourth-degree assault and third-degree terroristic threatening, as well as two counts of first-degree official misconduct, that if convicted are punishable by up to 12 months in a county jail.
Involving two separate incidents investigated by the Kentucky State Police, Acree responded to these charges via written statement Monday afternoon — claiming his cooperation and innocence.
Acree noted that this investigation has been “ongoing since the beginning of March this year,” and that he was initially “given the opportunity to cooperate with the investigators” and provided them with a statement.
Acree said that this case was “previously reviewed by a special prosecutor,” and an “offer to a plea deal” was made by the prosecutor to “plea to a Class A misdemeanor” on this single charge.
It’s also an offer, Acree added, that required him to resign his position as Trigg County sheriff, remove his name from the 2022 election ballot, “voluntarily surrender” his Kentucky law enforcement certification and pay a fine of $500.
Acree wrote that he “declined to take any plea deal, as [he is] innocent.”
It wasn’t until then, Acree further notes, that additional investigation continued, and the previous prosecutor “recused himself from the case.”
Following the appointment of a second prosecutor, Acree said this case was presented to the Trigg County Grand Jury as a “felony.” Acree said he has “continued to cooperate with the investigation,” but that prosecutors this time did not attempt to get [his] side of the story on these additional charges.
“Only one side of the facts was presented to the grand jury,” Acree said, “which was convened just weeks after the election.”
Acree stated these allegations are “without merit,” and that he “looks forward” to sharing his side of the story and being allowed to “clear his name.”
However, until this case is resolved, Acree further issued that he will be making no other comments related to the details of the circumstances surrounding these charges. He repeated that he has cooperated, and is innocent of these charges.
A former Kentucky State Police trooper, Acree was appointed Trigg sheriff in August of 2020 following the resignation of Jason Barnes.
Because these charges are misdemeanors, Acree’s litigation will be remanded to Trigg County District Court.
In November, Acree convincingly won the 2022 General Election, outpacing a field of write-in candidates for the position.
Sheriff Aaron Acree’s Statement: Aarons-Statement
