LITTLE ROCK — Miller County Sheriff Linda Rambo resigned Friday amid an inquiry into the improper use of a county truck, the latest scandal during her two years at the border-county agency.
It's unclear whether Rambo, who lost her bid for re-election this year, will face criminal charges stemming from accusations she allowed a jailer to use a sheriff's office truck and an inmate to help the jailer's relative move.
County officials hailed the sheriff's resignation as an important step in improving the county's reputation and jail operations after 13 inmates escaped and several guards have been arrested this year.
"I hate it for the county because we've had enough black eyes so to speak," said Justice of the Peace Joe Gillenwater. "I think this here will stop that."
Rambo's resignation is effective Monday, at which time the Quorum Court is set to hold a special meeting to select an interim sheriff.
Miller County Judge Roy John McNatt said prosecutor Brent Haltom indicated during a meeting Friday that he'd back off charges if the sheriff resigned.
Haltom, prosecuting attorney of the 8th Judicial District South, did not return calls to his office Friday. He had called for Rambo to resign earlier this week andwarned she could face a theft charge depending on the outcome of an investigation by the Arkansas State Police.
Rambo, 59, told the Texarkana Gazette that she didn't think it was wrong to loan out a deputy's truck to jailer Dolly Simmons, who also resigned Friday.
Rambo did not return calls seeking comment, and her twoline resignation letter does not address the matter.
Sheriff-elect Ron Stovall, a retired state police captain, has remained quiet about Rambo's troubles. He declined to comment Friday except to say he will work with the Quorum Court on budget matters before taking office in January.
County officials said they would pick someone other thanStovall to lead the office until January, since state law forbids an appointee from then continuing to hold the office.
There is no command staff. Chief Deputy Tommy Hollin, one of Rambo's ex-husbands, resigned earlier this year. The next ranking lawman is a patrol sergeant.
Investigator Don Thornell said that despite the unrest, he expects no interruption in enforcing the law.
"We know what we need to," he said. "We're going to take care of these people one way or the other."
The Arkansas Department of Correction also is reviewing the moving allegations because the inmate involved is a state prisoner who was held in Miller County. A program lets prisoners work at county jails, but they are notsupposed to be used for private work.
The use of the county truck is the second active investigation into the sheriff's office.
Authorities also are trying to determine how an inmate was allowed to walk free earlier without posting bond or a valid order from a judge. Authorities believe his record was doctored by someone with access to files.
"I think it's the best thing for her to resign," Justice of the PeaceJimmy Hickey said of Rambo, adding that he hopes it will lead to a "a smooth transition to our new sheriff."
He echoed several other justices of the peace who blame Rambo's management for the jail problems.
"I feel very confident this is a turning point," said Ernest Pender, the justice of the peace who chairs the Budget and Jail committees. "I think you'll see the jail start to turn around."
Arkansas, Pages 11, 13 on 11/01/2008