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Republican Darrell Stubbs announces he’s running for Gila County Sheriff

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Globe, Ariz. - Republican Darrell Stubbs announces he is running for Gila County Sheriff.

Stubbs challenges Sheriff Adam Shepard, who he says has failed to show leadership and is actually retired on duty. “Adam Shepard is retired on duty, evidenced by the mismanagement of the Gila County Jail and not knowing significant problems that impact public safety. He has failed to extradite criminals and also violated constitutional rights of the female inmate in which the Sheriff admitted on TV 15 News. The Gila County Jail has released inmates by mistake that should have been kept in jail.

Recently, there have been several incidents of inmates that were ordered by the courts to be released from the Gila County Jail, yet the jail held them an extra 16 days. Shepard admitted these incidents all occurred, yet says he had no direct knowledge of them until he was called before Judge Jordan Reardon, Globe Regional Justice of the Peace and then personally issued a letter detailing all of these issues.”

Stubbs continued, “Constitutional rights have clearly been violated, exposing Gila County and our taxpayers to huge lawsuits. Prisoners presented before the courts with extraditable warrants in other Arizona jurisdictions were left in our local community because our current Sheriff is too lazy to have them extradited for crimes they have committed. Shepard’s failure to perform his duties as Sheriff undermines the rule of law and empowers criminals since there is no penalty if you stay in Gila County.”

Stubbs concludes, “We need a leader as Sheriff who will fix these important public safety problems. Shepard has confirmed all the explosive charges are true, yet Shepard said at the time that he had no personal knowledge of any of them. This proves that Shepard is divorced from what is really happening and confirms that he truly is retired on duty. No surprise that he only cares when it is election time. We need a new Sheriff, to reorganize the Sheriff’s office and new leaders in the command staff.”

“Sheriff Shepard does not have a clue what is going on. His Chief Deputy doesn’t even live in Gila County, but resides in Chandler. In fact, our taxpayers foot the bill for his commute with a unmarked Gila County Sheriff’s SUV and all the gas that he needs. All these ‘leaders’ drive newer vehicles while many patrol deputies drive old vehicles with extreme mileage and some in disrepair while responding to our emergencies. Shepard and his ‘leaders’ always put themselves before his staff and deputies, who are the ones that keep us safe. We clearly need a new Sheriff, one that is not retired on duty.“

Stubbs has over 25 years of distinguished law enforcement service in Gila County and retired from the Sheriff’s Office. Stubbs served as an undercover narcotics officer in Payson, 10 years on Roosevelt Lake Patrol which included being on the dive team and teaching boating safety throughout Arizona. He also served as a School Resource Officer and Dare Instructor in Pine, Strawberry, Young, Tonto Basin and Miami. Stubbs wanted to emphasize his work teaching the NRA endorsed gun safety program called Eddie Eagle.

Stubbs owns and operates two local businesses; Four Peaks Trucking & Transport hauling copper concentrate and Darrell’s Beans selling farm fresh beans.

Community service is important to Stubbs. He’s a member of Gila County Cattle Growers Association, member of the Friends of the NRA, Elk’s, President of Globe District AZ Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and Vice President of the Payson Pro Rodeo Committee.