Former Washington County Sheriff Arrested

Tibbetts was arrested Monday for an incident last thursday evening in which he allegedly stopped a couple as they were driving on a dead end road in the barrens in Township 19 near Columbia.

Tibbetts allegedly confronted Kevin Merritt, Melinda Church and her seven and four year old children, and then showed a weapon. The couple left and called 911. A Washington County Sheriffs Deputy Investigated, and the Sheriffs Office presented the case to the District Attorneys Office for review. Tibbetts was arrested on a warrant on Monday.

Tibbetts is free on five thousand dollars cash bail and is scheduled to appear in court next month.

A judge has ordered the affidavit in this case sealed, so few details are available about the incident. Tibbetts said he was advised by his lawyers not to comment but did say that there are two sides to every story.

This is not the first time that Tibbetts has been under scrutiny by the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

In 2007, Sheriff Donnie Smith asked the attorney generals office to investigate Tibbetts regarding missing firearms from the evidence locker at the sheriff's office.

In August of 2007 the attorney generals office said it could find no evidence of a crime.

Sheriff Smith mentioned that incident in a recent email he said was meant for the Hancock County District Attorneys office, but was sent to several media outlets instead.

The email stated:

I(m) very concerned about the double standard being applied in this case with former Sheriff Tibbett's by your office.

He is not a law enforcement officer and we did not apply the same standard to Deputy Jeff Bishop and the Milo Police Chief.

Tibbett's has terrorized a family and should be held to the same standard as any citizen.

If this goes to the AG's office and they do not act any differently than they did when Sheriff Tibbett's mishandled firearms from the Washington County Sheriff's Office evidence locker, I will NOT stand for it.

I am giving every effort to work with your office, however you have double standers that we wiil not participate in.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office will treat each and every citizen as and equal.

I would like this case dealt with by Wednesday, 08/19/09,or the Washington County Sheriff's Office will take action..

Thank you.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

NEWS CENTER received that email Late Friday Evening. Sheriff Smith says the District Attorneys Office issued an arrest warrant for Tibbetts on Monday which was signed by a judge. He also says it was his misunderstanding that the district attorneys office was referring the case to the Attorney General, and his main concern was for the victims in this case. The district attorney could not be reached for comment on Monday.