Benton County Sheriff denies allegations, plans to fight charges

Nearly a week after Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher's wife requested and was granted an Order of Protection, the Sheriff has released a statement through his attorney denying allegation of abuse, and reiterating his determination to stay on as Sheriff.

In the 6-page statement released to Newsradio 610 KONA Thursday afternoon, Hatcher's attorney claims that Mrs. Monica Hatcher was pressured into reporting allegations of abuse.

"Benton County elected officials involved themselves in the Hatcher’s divorce," according to the statement. "The officials, who are not members of law enforcement or investigators, started pressuring Mrs. Hatcher to report a two-year-old allegation against Sheriff Hatcher.

The statement references an email that Mrs. Hatcher claims in her petition for an order of protection that she was forced to write under the direction of the Sheriff on October 3, 2019.

"Mrs. Hatcher drafted an email making it clear that the 2-year-old allegation was not true and that she had been pressured by Benton County officials to make the allegation. Mrs. Hatcher also continued to communicate with Sheriff Hatcher during this period of time, asking his advice on how to deal with what the officials had done."

Hatcher included Mrs. Hatcher's email with the statement he released to Newsradio 610 KONA Thursday.

A judge granted the Order of Protection on Friday, October 5, 2019, several weeks after Mrs. Hatcher filed for divorce.

On Wednesday, charges were filed against Sheriff Hatcher for domestic assault and tampering with a witness.

The statement from Hatcher's attorney insists that the Sheriff "will aggressively defend against these false allegations," in spite of recent calls from local law enforcement unions that he step down from office.

As an elected official, there is no one in authority who can fire Hatcher outside of a recall vote initiated by voters.