Nov. 6--PALO PINTO -- A 26-year county employee, the reported target of an ongoing criminal investigation, has been allowed to retire and is no longer working in their position.

A Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department investigation concerns the employee allegedly providing contraband to jail inmates. The employee did not work for the sheriff's department.

Palo Pinto County Commissioners met for about an hour behind closed doors Thursday to discuss the matter. Afterward, following no public action, County Judge Mike Smiddy released a public statement on behalf of the court.

"The people of Palo Pinto County are served by men and women who perform their duties daily with dedication and integrity," said the statement. "We often take their honesty and fair dealing for granted.

"When any county employee acts inappropriately, particularly when the conduct appears to violate criminal law, a loss of confidence results in all who serve in positions of public trust ... The purpose of this public statement is to make our position clear.

"The Palo Pinto County Commissioners Court denounces the conduct of [a county employee] ... which has been described to us by the sheriff. We appreciate those officers who did their duty by conducting the investigation. We further encourage the sheriff to go forward with the filing of any appropriate charges or refer the matter to the grand jury as he sees fit.

"By the actions taken today, our goal is to communicate to the public clearly that the conduct described to us is not acceptable and not in the best interest of Palo Pinto County."

The statement stated the employee resigned from the county, however the employee's supervisor stated the employee retired effective the end of November, but is no longer working.

Sheriff Ira Mercer's said there is an ongoing investigation, telling the Index the investigation has been going on the past week.

Mercer told the Index that he conducted surveillance after receiving a tip from an informant. He said the nature of the investigation includes allegedly the person providing contraband to county jail inmates. He said he searched the courthouse boiler room, which is the inmate work area, where he said he found evidence of tobacco products.

The Index tried contacting the employee by phone at home, but there was no answer.

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Staff writer Christin Coyne contributed to this report.

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