Former Sheriff Blakely Work Release: FRANKLIN CO., Ala. Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver revealed that ex-Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely has been on work release for months.
However, Sheriff Oliver discovered Blakely violating his work release terms. Blakely, employed in Muscle Shoals, was spotted at Foodland next door during work hours. Sheriff Oliver clarified that it’s common to take work-release inmates to nearby counties.
“We’ve done it before with others,” Sheriff Oliver noted. “We take them to their job site within a reasonable area. It’s about twenty minutes. It’s not real far at all.”
As per ADOC’s policies, work-release inmates can’t enter free-world stores or make purchases. Initially under ADOC custody, Blakely’s jurisdiction shifted to Franklin County Jail. Gerald Murray, Blakely’s employer, defended sending him on errands within job duties.
“Our property adjoins a Foodland next door, and I sent him over to pick up some paper towels for us, and that’s where that photo came from,” Murray explained. “It’s just on a work release program, and what he does during his time here is okay, as long as it’s something we tell him to do.”
Viewers raised concerns beyond shopping. Sheriff Oliver confirmed a family member took Blakely to the doctor early in his sentence. Now, his medical needs are addressed at the jail.
Blakely’s health issues are central to his attorney’s motion to transfer his sentence to Limestone County Community Corrections for probation at home.
Former Sheriff Blakely, convicted in August 2021 after 38 years, faced charges of felony theft and ethics violations, including misusing campaign donations and county funds.
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What happened to Blakely?
Law enforcement personnel fired back, resulting in the suspect’s death. During the gunfire, Officer Blakely was struck. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office disclosed in a press release that Blakely was promptly transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for urgent medical attention, but tragically passed away from his wounds the following evening.