Judge rejects plea deal for accused former county sheriff

FESSENDEN, N.D. (AP) - A Southeast District Court judge has rejected a plea agreement for former Wells County Sheriff Johnny Lawson.

Lawson is accused of drug-dealing, bribery and not performing his duties. He faces felony charges.

The Minot Daily News reports that Judge Daniel Narum on Thursday rejected an agreement Lawson had reached with prosecutors. Its terms called for Lawson to plead guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge and testify against a drug suspect in a related case. The other charges would be dropped.

Narum said the plea deal “is inappropriate and doesn’t serve justice.”

The 41-year-old Lawson abruptly resigned in April, citing personal reasons. He was arrested about a month later.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com