Detroit News: The Michigan Sheriff’s Association has condemned comments by the Barry County sheriff that appeared to defend the 13 men who were arrested on allegations that they planned to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, storm the Capitol and try to start a civil war.
Surplus military vehicles used by Dar Leaf, Barry County Sheriff's Department
When your Sheriff is buds with men who are trying to kidnap your Governor – you have big trouble
Talk to your neighbors
Every community needs to talk about cleaning this up @barrychamber pic.twitter.com/ELheJxt7Js
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) October 9, 2020
Hey look, it's Barry county sheriff Dar Leaf hanging out with one of Governor Whitmer's kidnappers. pic.twitter.com/jWX7Z40INd
— Lance Samsqamch 🏴☠️🇺🇲🏴☠️ (@thelancemann) October 9, 2020
Sheriff Dar Leaf’s comments were “dangerous” and nothing about the alleged actions of the 13 individuals should be understood to be “legal, moral or American,” wrote Matthew Saxton, executive director and CEO for the Michigan Sheriffs Association.
Maybe Sheriff Dar Leaf shouldn't be a sheriff any more if he thinks it's OK for terrorists to kidnap a duly-elected Governor of his state. https://t.co/yAEncDFPbw
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) October 9, 2020
“It is, frankly, disheartening that any law enforcement official with any time in service of his or her oath could respond that way,” Saxton wrote in a Tuesday open letter that also thanked state and federal investigators involved in the case.
Leaf did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The statement comes four days after Leaf — who appeared on stage with some of the suspects at a May rally — told Fox 17 the individuals had been “nice and respectful to him” and deserved a fair trial.
Sheriff Dar Leaf of Barry County, Michigan on stage with man who planned to kidnap Governor Whitmer
Law enforcement & local communities need to come together to clean up this dangerous mess
No doubt the FBI is all over this little cowardly Sheriff
Tick tock pic.twitter.com/vvo7ZL40cC
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) October 9, 2020
Kudos to Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor-Pratt for making this clear, concise and responsible statement about Sheriff Dar Leaf. One man alone-even the elected sheriff-does not speak on behalf of the entire county. https://t.co/VqpvwwVmEn
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) October 13, 2020
“I was shocked. I did not see this coming for those guys,” Leaf said about the charges against Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell and William Null, 38, of Shelbyville.
Let us take a look at Barry County Michigan Sheriff Dar Leaf. He shared a stage with William Null. pic.twitter.com/wODMRhOOwG
— UsHadrons (@ushadrons) October 9, 2020
“A lot of people are angry with the governor and they want her arrested. So are they trying to arrest or was it a kidnap attempt?” he said, arguing that their plot may have been allowed under a citizen arrest statute.
“It doesn’t say if you’re in elected office that you’re exempt from that arrest. I have to look at it from that angle and I’m hoping that’s more of what it is,” he said. read more
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Electing the sheriff is one of the least attended elections. High turnouts are only when major issues are published by responsible journalists. In some counties, (La still calls them parishes)
a candidate is selected by a small group seeking influence and position, and too often they run unopposed. Another factor often overlooked is many voters quite simply assume that a candidate Must have experience in law enforcement. This is not necessarily the case, and is unwise if the department has been hiring from within certain groups for too long. Cleaning up a sheriffs department could be a nasty job, that few would want. Could even be dangerous.
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