PASCO, Wash. – Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond is pushing back against what he describes as an unconstitutional takeover of the county jail by the Board of Commissioners.
The board recently established a new Department of Corrections to manage the facility, citing a state audit report that blames the sheriff’s office for financial mismanagement at the jail.
Sheriff Raymond has denied these claims, stating, “Never did I agree to hand over the jail. The Board of County commissioners and the just decided that that’s the way it’s going to be.”
He spoke to the press outside the Franklin County Courthouse, emphasizing his disagreement with the commissioners’ actions. The sheriff’s dispute with the commissioners now revolves around property inside the jail, which he insists belongs to the sheriff’s office.
Raymond argued, “Who do you want running your jail? The sheriff of the county, who’s put it in the position it is today. Or do you want a land developer worth the sum total of zero experience running the jail?”
The newly formed Department of Corrections now employs the jail staff and claims ownership of all property within the jail. However, Sheriff Raymond asserts that guns and weapons used by jail staff are the property of the sheriff’s office and must be stored in an accredited armory according to state and federal law.
He stated, “And part of that was listing the sheriff’s office firearms as part of … as part of the property that was to be stored, inside the jail. Okay, you can’t do that. And they know that. And the Board of County commissioners know that.”
A judge pro tempore has signed a temporary restraining order against Raymond, attempting to prevent him from removing property from the county jail. Raymond contends that the judge lacks the authority to enforce this order.
He explained, “The temporary judge can only work on the case of when all parties agree. I never agreed to a temporary judge being assigned her orders, lacked jurisdiction and are completely void… Once I’m assigned counsel, I will address my lawyer to file a motion to vacate the temporary restraining order, a motion to hold the statute unconstitutional, and a motion for an order declaring the jail belongs to the office of sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners. Actions to be null and void. I will win this case.”
Despite the restraining order, Raymond has retrieved what he considers sheriff’s property from the jail. He remarked, “I went into the jail this morning to recover all my work… new director of the jail? I’m not sure how he did, but he stored them all in a closet.”
The Board of Commissioners responded to Raymond’s actions, expressing concern for the safety and welfare of both staff and inmates. They stated, “The commissioners are concerned about the safety and welfare of both the staff at Franklin County Jail as well as the inmates. Removing equipment that would only be used to protect one’s life is unacceptable.”
Sheriff Raymond has requested an outside prosecutor to represent him but has not provided a timeline for when one will be appointed. Meanwhile, the Board of Commissioners is consulting with legal counsel to determine their next steps.
