FARWELL — A Bailey County elected official was behind bars Wednesday evening, just more than two months after a suit was filed in a district court aiming to remove her from office.
Bailey County Judge Sherri L. Harrison, 56, was arrested by the Parmer County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Parmer County Jail Wednesday evening on one count each of official oppression, furnishing alcohol to a minor and criminal trespass, according to booking records. She was released hours later on a personal recognizance bond.
Harrison was not immediately available for comment.
Harrison’s arrest came after a Bailey County grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday morning against her on the official oppression charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor. The case will be handled in the 287th Judicial District Court, as misdemeanors involving official misconduct are within the jurisdiction of district courts.
The indictment alleges that Harrison, acting as Bailey County judge on May 13, 2022, intentionally mistreated a woman, saying “she would make sure her partner got jail time,” knowing that it was unlawful.
Grand jurors were also presented the remaining misdemeanor charges, and they also recommended filing those charges against Harrison as well. Those charges will be handled in the county court level.
Harrison’s charges comes after the Bailey County attorney filed a petition in the 287th District Court of Bailey County on June 21 to remove Harrison from office. In the suit, county attorney Michaela E. Kee accuses Harrison of gross ignorance and carelessness in the discharge of her duties, official misconduct, and intoxication on or off duty, all grounds for removal of an elected official under Texas government statutes.
According to the petition, Harrison was allegedly intoxicated while signing search warrants on multiple occasions. The suit outlines Harrison’s various actions while in office that Kee claims “range from minor neglect and dereliction of her responsibilities to outright intentional, unlawful behavior.”
Kee said she requested a criminal investigation after she filed her petition to remove Harrison.
“I contacted the Texas Rangers, and they sent one from Austin who specializes in elected official misconduct,” she said.
Kee said she informed Harrison of the indictments and gave her the option to surrender to the Parmer County Jail.
“She had till 6 o clock to turn herself in, and she didn’t turn her self in till 6:30 p.m. so I had to send out an arrest warrant for her,” she said. “But she did end up getting there before anybody found her.”
Kee said Harrison will still serve as the county judge after her arrest, but Kee has requested a hearing to temporarily suspend Harrison without pay.
“I have not heard back from that judge,” she said.
It was not immediately clear if Harrison has an attorney to represent her on the criminal cases.
Harrison was first appointed county judge in 2005 to fill an unexpired term. After winning multiple re-election bids over the 17 years, she was unseated in the March primary elections by Basil Nash, who is set to take office in January.