New Sheriff's Judgment Questioned
At the end of last year, while involved in a futile bid to convince the Kanawha County Family Court that he was a fit parent, Halburn solicited at least one law enforcement officer to provide a letter of recommendation for him.
That law enforcement officer was newly elected Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese.
That law enforcement officer was newly elected Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese.
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| Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese |
Halburn bragged in January, "A local police chief promised me a letter of recommendation. If I need to pull out all the stops, now is the time!"
Apparently Halburn thought that would sway the court. It did not.
Through the power of a FOIA request, PutnamLIES.com has a copy of that letter. And after Halburn's most recent arrest, now is the time to print it.
"Subject: Letter of Recommendation
Sent: Jan 12 2013
Sent: Jan 12 2013
To whom it may concern,
I, Sheriff Steve Deweese, have known Mark Halburn for approximately 24 months. Mark spoke to me numerous times during my candidacy for Sheriff of Putnam County and continues to stay in contact with me to assist with the crime effort within Putnam County. Mark has always been very professional to me on the phone and in-person. Most recently, when I took office on 1, January 2013, I contacted Putnam Live and ascertained if Mark could publish a photo and a short story on a Home Confinement inmate that cut his bracelet and walked away from the program. To my amazement, the story was written
and published within 5 minutes of my request. Mark has fulfilled my entire request to date and has not written stories or comments from me at my request. Mark is a true asset to the law enforcement community and will continue to assist with the crimes against the people/property within Putnam
County.
If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me at (304)550-8134.
With Best Regards,
Steve Deweese
Putnam County Sheriff"
That letter was used as a character reference in a divorce case to try and get custody of a child to someone who hangs out with child beaters and sex offenders. The sheriff should have known that.
Shortly after Deweese was sworn in, both he and Chief Deputy Jack Luikhart met with Halburn and told him that they would give him he same respect they give every other citizen and give him the information that is given to other "news" agencies. BUT...should he cross the line and be unprofessional in his dealings, that would be the end.
In April Halburn crossed that line when he was arrested at the Putnam County Health Department by one of Deweese's deputies.
In April Halburn crossed that line when he was arrested at the Putnam County Health Department by one of Deweese's deputies.
We know what Deweese is doing. He is trying to stay on Halburn's good side and not get in a pissing match with the idiot.
All that is doing is make Deweese look like the idiot.
All that is doing is make Deweese look like the idiot.
How can a law enforcement officer with 20 years of service in Putnam County call a repeatedly arrested offender an asset to law enforcement?
Over the past ten years Halburn has accumulated 3 arrests in Putnam County, 2 in Kanawha County, multiple restraining orders and a reputation as a general nuisance anywhere he goes.
Not to mention at least one felony arrest in California.
That's an asset?
Over the past ten years Halburn has accumulated 3 arrests in Putnam County, 2 in Kanawha County, multiple restraining orders and a reputation as a general nuisance anywhere he goes.
Not to mention at least one felony arrest in California.
That's an asset?
That is truly appalling. It is hard to believe that any lawman would write something like that knowing fatboy's behavior.
It appears to us that the Sheriff is either naive or just plain stupid.
It appears to us that the Sheriff is either naive or just plain stupid.
Now we're not saying there was any favoritism or anything like that.
The sheriff is a fine law enforcement officer with over 20 years of service here in Putnam County.
What we are questioning is Sheriff Deweese's judgment in writing a letter like this.
The question is now, if the Sheriff did this then, what other favors has he done for Halburn? Has he intervened on Halburn's behalf in any other matters?
We know the Sheriff has purchased at least one LeapPad for Halburn's son.
It's probably not a legal problem but there could be a pretty strong ethical issue brought up about it. He actively declines to do anything about Halburn's abusive behavior, yet he buys gifts for Halburn's child.
At a minimum it appears unseemly. Halburn even used that fact to try and gain some kind of influence in court. Even if this was a good deed, Halburn has turned it into a problem. Again.
There's an old proverb that says, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."
Halburn's bitch should be above suspicion too.
What we are questioning is Sheriff Deweese's judgment in writing a letter like this.
The question is now, if the Sheriff did this then, what other favors has he done for Halburn? Has he intervened on Halburn's behalf in any other matters?
We know the Sheriff has purchased at least one LeapPad for Halburn's son.
It's probably not a legal problem but there could be a pretty strong ethical issue brought up about it. He actively declines to do anything about Halburn's abusive behavior, yet he buys gifts for Halburn's child.
At a minimum it appears unseemly. Halburn even used that fact to try and gain some kind of influence in court. Even if this was a good deed, Halburn has turned it into a problem. Again.
There's an old proverb that says, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."
Halburn's bitch should be above suspicion too.
We hope Halburn and the sheriff are happy together.
