Pickens County Deputy Arrested by State Investigators, Removed From Duty
A Pickens County deputy has been arrested by state investigators and removed from the sheriff's office, though neither agency has said what he is accused of doing.
James Long Reed was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office. Reed served as a deputy and has been relieved of his duties.
His booking page on the sheriff's jail website shows he was charged with voyeurism and stalking.
The sheriff's office said it learned of allegations of possible misconduct involving one of its employees on Sept. 11. Sheriff Jordan Powell consulted with the district attorney's office and asked the SBI to conduct an independent investigation.
Reed's arrest followed five days later.
Powell said in a statement that officers should face the same consequences as anyone else.
"As law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard of conduct and accountability," Powell said. "When an officer fails to meet those standards and violates the law, they should be held accountable just as any other person who commits a crime. Our badge does not place us above the law, and maintaining the public's trust requires accountability at every level."
The sheriff's office referred all further questions about the investigation and the arrest to the State Bureau of Investigation.
Reed has not entered a plea and is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.
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