A contentious two-year-long investigation came to an end in Trigg County District Court Tuesday afternoon, when Sheriff Aaron Acree entered guilty pleas to a pair of official misconduct charges, and to a pair of amended menacing charges — down from third degree terroristic threatening and fourth degree assault. All of the charges were misdemeanors.
Tuesday’s decision brought forth an agreement from all parties involved — and included special prosecutor Jason Darnall of Marshall County, defense attorney Ken Haggard, Lake Barkley State Resort Park and Crystal Smith, who recently entered a guilty plea to amended charges and was probated for her role in a 2022 burglary of Acree’s home.
Special Judge Jack Telle, of Paducah, granted the settlement — and ordered Acree serve two years probation, pay a $500 misdemeanor penalty and another $163 in court costs. No restitution was ordered, as Acree has already personally paid for a room rental at the Lodge — a critical point with one of the two misconduct charges.
No communication between Smith or Acree, except for legal proceedings, is allowed.
Should Acree come in violation of this probation, he will be remanded into custody for a period of no less than 12 months in a county jail.
Telle did commend Acree for coming forth and admitting his wrongdoing, but also bought query to Acree’s pleas and original actions — which prompted the indictment in the first place.
Following the hearing, Haggard said the biggest delay in the case stemmed not from the misconduct charges of his client, but from the threatening and assault claims from Smith.
Telle also made it clear that Acree’s actions — having Jailer James Hughes bring Smith by the sheriff’s department before delivering her to the Christian County Jail, threatening Smith, and at some point renting a room at the Lodge while in guise — were unacceptable actions.
Acree told the News Edge he agreed.
Acree also wanted to clear the air as to why he requested Smith, who had been arrested and charged by the Cadiz Police Department, be brought to his office in the first place.
He first confronted her at his family’s residence amid the burglary — only to realize, after communications with his wife, that something else was seriously missing.
Acree confirmed that the ring was found in Smith’s property bag at the Christian County Jail.
In the Commonwealth’s plea agreement, it is heavily noted that two witnesses did confirm Acree said these things to Smith. However, the Commonwealth ushered that Acree’s threats were conditional in nature, and that Kentucky has formally adopted the “Castle Doctrine” — which states that, hypothetically speaking, Acree “could potentially be justified” in using lethal force against Smith if, in fact, she once again unlawfully entered his home.
Acree and Haggard also both noted this was an offer presented by the prosecution, and that their legal team was prepared to go to trial Thursday morning before Tuesday’s agreement.
It’s worth noting that a federal lawsuit from Smith toward Acree and Jailer James Hughes still remains in litigation.
And finally, the Commonwealth wrote that it is “fully aware” of the public interest in this case…and that a removal from office was never going to be an automatic consequence as a result of this case, regardless of any possible outcome as to the original, or amended charges.
Furthermore, Acree’s status as sheriff “rests solely in the hands of other entities, which could include, but not necessarily limited to, the Governor of the Commonwealth, the Kentucky General Assembly,” and Trigg County’s voters.
In October, Telle denied a change of venue order for the case. Darnall is the third special prosecutor since the grand jury indictment.
From Acree:
“After an almost two year long investigation that started in the same year as my bid for election, I have decided to move forward with the final offer, after multiple offers were presented to me from the Commonwealth, and enter a guilty plea to official conduct and menacing.”
“It should be noted that the menacing charge came about as part of my interaction with an individual who had broken into my home and stolen several items, including things that were deeply personal to me, my wife and my daughter. I responded to an emotional situation, and am taking responsibility for that response.”
“I have maintained my innocence regarding any threats or assault that I was being accused of, and the charge of assault fourth degree and terroristic threatening third degree are being amended as part of this agreement, as it should have been.”
“My legal team has been confident throughout this entire process, but more importantly, I’m choosing to move forward and not allow anyone to waste anymore of the taxpayer’s time with this process. Despite the ongoing investigation, in November of 2022, you elected me to be your sheriff for another four years, and I am thankful to be able to learn from this, and pleased to put this matter behind us so that my office can focus on continuing serving you, the citizens of Trigg County.”
