Southeast Kansas sheriff suspended without pay during investigation

(AP) A Kansas sheriff is suspended without pay while a case against him is investigated.

A court issued the suspension to Montgomery County Sheriff Robert Dierks on Friday. Undersheriff Richard George will be acting sheriff.

Court documents say Dierks was charged with two misdemeanors after he tried unsuccessfully to interfere in the drunken driving arrest of his girlfriend. He is charged with interference with law enforcement and witness intimidation. Dierks’ then-girlfriend, Valerie Smith, was pulled over in January 2018 on suspicion of drunk driving.

Prosecutors allege Dierks tried to talk deputies out of taking Smith to jail, and then asked them not to show up at her court hearing. The deputies did not agree to Dierks’ requests.