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Former Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt has been charged with misconduct by an elected official, following an investigation by Virginia State Police.
The misdemeanor charge stems from Hunt's actions or inaction on May 30, 2011, the day when former Franklin County deputy Jonathan Agee is accused of killing his wife, and then getting into a shootout with state police on Interstate 81.
An investigation by special prosecutor Michael Doucette of Lynchburg concluded Monday, and at his recommendation a summons was issued for Hunt.
State police agents served the summons Tuesday.
A hearing is set for July 11.
The investigation stemmed from a request by Doucette in August 2011 to look at the actions of Hunt on the day Jennifer Agee was killed in a Roanoke gas station parking lot on May 30, 2011. Her ex-husband and former Franklin County deputy, Jonathan Agee, has been charged with her death.
Hunt told WDBJ7 in the days following the shootings that he received a call from Jonathan Agee's dad about the former deputy's intentions prior to the shootings. Hunt said Deputy Agee's dad was concerned because Jonathan Agee had a fight with his ex-wife and he thought his son was heading to her home in Salem.
Hunt told WDBJ7 that a short time later he received a call from Franklin County's 911 center also indicating possible trouble. A dispatcher told Sheriff Hunt he took a call from Agee's current wife who indicated Jonathan Agee planned to harm his ex-wife.
Hunt said when he called Agee's house, his wife said Agee had left and didn't take his cell phone. Hunt told WDBJ7 he then called Salem Police to warn authorities about the situation. A supervisor called back a few minutes later.
Hunt told WDBJ7 he called Salem Police directly because he wanted to "expedite" the situation. Hunt says it would have taken too long to draft an all points bulletin for Agee.
Hunt lost a bid for re-election as Franklin County Sheriff to Bill Overton in November.
Here is the news release from Virginia State Police about the charge against Hunt:
Special Agents from the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation have charged Former Franklin County Sheriff Ewell A. Hunt with misconduct by an elected official. The investigation stemmed from an August 2011 request by Special Prosecutor Michael R. Doucette of Lynchburg, to examine the actions of then Sheriff Hunt on or about May 30, 2011. Specifically, whether Hunt’s actions or inaction, related to a series of crimes committed by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Agee, constitute a violation of law.
On May 28, 2012, after a lengthy investigation into the matter and upon the review and recommendation of the special prosecutor, a warrant/summons was obtained for former Sheriff Hunt from a Franklin County Magistrate. State police agents served the summons on May 29, 2012. A hearing date has been set for July 11, 2012.