The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office has recommended that charges be brought against a former sergeant in our jail. This incident occurred before I was sworn in as sheriff.
One of my core values in building a culture that best serves the community is accountability—and that starts with holding ourselves responsible, even when it reveals uncomfortable truths.
I first learned about the incident during my campaign. Once in office, I began reviewing policies and procedures in the detention facility.
I’m extremely proud of our current deputies and the work they do to uphold a professional environment. They’ve adapted well and risen to the challenges of this new direction.
Over time, I discussed the case repeatedly with members of my administration. We gathered preliminary information and searched for any files documenting the incident. We found no evidence of a formal criminal investigation ever taking place. In fact, there was no investigative documentation at all.
We had to obtain a copy of the video from an outside agency that received it during a POST decertification investigation. The decertification referral was made to POST during the prior administration.
The video existed only because then-Boundary County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull had become aware of the situation. He wrote a letter to former Sheriff Dave Kramer requesting a copy to assess potential civil ramifications. Tevis Hull has since passed away.
With assistance from then-Chief Deputy Dale Anderson, we decided to launch a formal investigation into the matter now being prosecuted.
My office is also reviewing another similar case for possible prosecution, involving a different former detention deputy and a different inmate.
To be clear, neither matter was ever formally referred to the prosecutor’s office for criminal charges. While the prior administration did take steps to address the issue internally, including the POST decertification process, the gravity of the situation cannot be overlooked.
The sheriff bears the responsibility to investigate and recommend charges, and we won’t cut breaks on potential criminal behavior just because someone works for the sheriff’s office. Although multiple deputies brought the concerns forward at the time, a formal criminal investigation or referral was not pursued then. By addressing this now, we’re ensuring these matters receive the attention they deserve through a transparent process.
Behind the scenes, I’m working hard to build a strong foundation for the future.
Our guiding philosophy now is simple: What’s the next right thing to do? We’re committed to navigating this with transparency, honesty, and accountability.
If you have questions, please email me: tstolley@boundarysheriff.org. Or, if you’d prefer to meet in person, contact me to set up a time.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Travis Stolley
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