Charges dismissed against Tillman County sheriff after he resigns

Thursday, December 22nd 2005, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

FREDERICK, Okla. (AP) -- A special prosecutor handling the assault and racial threat case against Tillman County Sheriff Billy Hanes has decided to dismiss charges after Hanes resigned.

District Attorney Gene Christian delivered a motion to dismiss to Judge Taylor Stein's Lawton courtroom on Tuesday.

The dismissal followed discussions between both parties and Hanes' decision to resign as sheriff on Monday.

Hanes and his brother, Randy Hanes, were charged on November 17th with one count of threatening a violent act based on race, or in the alternative, one count of assault and battery, both of which are misdemeanors.

According to affidavits, the threat of violence based on race and the assault charges stem from an incident in the district attorney's office October 28th.

The threat charge was based on verbal threats to kill Velma Pollard, her 15-year old son, and other black Tillman County residents.

It wasn't immediately clear if charges against Randy Hanes will be dismissed.