Former Sheriff Mike Blakely was convicted in August 2021 on charges of first-degree theft and using his public office for personal gain. He was found guilty of stealing $4,000 from his campaign account and obtaining interest-free loans by taking money from a safe used to store inmates’ personal funds. Blakely was sentenced to three years in jail and removed from office after nearly 40 years of service. His appeals were dismissed, and he began serving his sentence in 2023. ([alabamaag.gov](https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-steve-marshall-announces-ethics-and-theft-convictions-of-limestone-county-sheriff-mike-blakely/?utm_source=openai), [prisonlegalnews.org](https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2023/nov/15/alabama-sheriff-loses-appeal-theft-and-ethics-conviction/?utm_source=openai))

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