Holly MatkinDeKalb County, AL – A candidate vying to become the next sheriff of DeKalb County has been arrested on charges of impersonating a peace officer and computer tampering.
Terry Wayne Wadsworth, 57, was arrested on the two-count felony indictment on Dec. 3, WHNT reported.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation special agents are still working on the ongoing investigation, according to WZDX.
Wadsworth is accused of having “falsely pretended to be a peace officer” and of acting “in that capacity,” the indictment read.
The grand jury determined Wadsworth also allegedly acted “without authority or exceeding authorization of use by obtaining any information that is required by law to be kept confidential or any records that are not public records by accessing any computer, computer system, or network that is operated by this state, a political subdivision of this state, or a medical institution, to-wit: Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center information,” according to the indictment.
Additional details about the charges have not been released.
According to a statement on Wadsworth’s campaign website, he served 22 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.
“I’ve also worked in law enforcement for 15 years serving the citizens of Dekalb County and I continue to serve while working at the road department,” he added.
Wadsworth said he was “born and raised” in the area and that his is proud of his “heritage and conservative values.”
“I have a plan that will change how the dynamics of the current system operates so that our citizens have a chance to become productive again,” his statement on the campaign website read. “At this current crossroad, we, the citizens of Dekalb need a real change that will tackle the drug and crime epidemic that has plagued our great country. The time has come when words are no longer enough. We need action.”
Wadsworth was booked into the DeKalb County jail before being released on a $1,000 “own recognizance bond,” WZDZ reported.
He thanked his supporters in a Facebook post the following day as he announced he was “about to hit the campaign trail.”
“No matter what is thrown our way…we will NOT give up! The truth will always prevail. This county deserves honesty and fairness,” he wrote. “Thank you to all of my supporters who have reached out. Without all of you, this could not be accomplished.”
The Police Tribune reached out to Wadsworth for comment but he did not reply.
