BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) – Tuesday (Nov. 17) night, the Benton County Grievance Committee voted in favor of two deputies, who claimed they were wrongfully demoted by Sheriff Kelley Cradduck.
After nearly five hours of testimony, cross examination, and deliberation, deputies Robin Holt and Jeremy Guyll were given the news they had been waiting for.
The committee said Guyll and Holt qualified as whistle blowers, and should not have been demoted for doing so.
“The committee made the right decision,” said Don Kendall, the attorney for the deputies.
Kendall said his clients were demoted after they refused to take part in falsifying employee records for the sheriff’s friend.
Cradduck, who wasn’t at the grievance hearing, said the deputies were demoted after they made a video that mimicked rape suspects and victims.
“If the committee thinks the video is appropriate, so be it,” said Drew Miller, Cradduck’s attorney. “They have made their decision. But, they didn’t need the song and dance to do that, all they needed was the song and video.”
Miller spoke on behalf of Cradduck at the hearing. Miller said the decision did not shock him.
“I am not surprised. But, at the same time, I am surprised that [the committee members] are potentially condoning the video,” Miller said.
Miller said one key message to take home is Cradduck is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.
“There doesn’t appear to be any conduct that would be classified as criminal, or abuse of office,” Miller said.
Cradduck is running for reelection.
His campaign manager, Bill Adams, said the hearing would not impact his ability to serve in the future.
“The campaign will still do what it is going do,” Adams said. “We still feel [Cradduck] has the best ideas in running the county.”
But Adams did acknowledge the grievance hearing will have some impact on the campaign.
“This does make it a little more difficult, obviously,” Adams said.
Sheriff Cradduck will not be legally forced to give the two deputies their positions back, but if he does not, the deputies' attorney said they plan to file a lawsuit.