Fired Deputy Pleads Guilty to Plan to “Plant Meth on” Suspect
June 22nd, 2017 by
A former deputy sheriff accepted a plea of guilty in exchange for reduced charges, Monday, in Drew County Circuit Court.
Robert “Bo” Sanderlin, age 26, pled guilty to the charges of abuse of office and using a communication device in an attempt to possess methamphetamine, in front of Circuit Judge Sam Pope.
The charges stem from events that occurred between January 31 and February 1, of this year.
History of the case, as well as his arrest, is posted here.
Sanderlin’s sentence was set at 5 years probation, along with a $1000 fine. His sentence included one day in jail, which he was given credit for, on the day of his arrest.
Deputy prosecutor Frank Spain addressed the court, “We suspect other criminal activity also, but can’t prove it at this time.”
Spain continued, “This sentence accomplishes our goal of preventing him from being a law officer in the future.”
Sheriff Mark Gober told MLive, “I felt the outcome should’ve been more severe. We in law enforcement should be held to a higher standard.”
Jason Akers of the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force summed it up this way, “Law enforcement must police itself if it wants the respect of the people it hopes to serve. No one, including police officers, are above the law.”
