Central Texas sheriff charged with assault, sexual assault

MARLIN, Texas (KWTX) – Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman was arrested Monday by Texas Rangers on warrants charging felony assault on a public servant, sexual assault and misdemeanor official oppression, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Scaman, 48, was held in an isolation cell Monday night and, although he was expected to remain jailed overnight, posted a commercial bond and was released from the Bell County Jail after 8 p.m.

His bond had been set at $195,000.

A five-count indictment Monday alleges Scaman groped, grabbed or touched the genitals or breasts of one victim, identified as a Marlin Police Department employee, pushed her up against a car, and pulled her hair while the victim was responding to an emergency call. It’s also alleges that Scaman groped or grabbed the genitals of a second victim, a Falls County Jail sergeant, and pushed her up against a wall during working hours.

Criminal accusations have been brought against the sheriff for years, however, Monday was the first time he was charged.

According to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement rules, section 223.18, a peace officer’s license can be suspended if they’re charged with a felony.

Sources close to the investigation say Scaman was indicted by a Falls County grand jury Monday morning and, immediately after, the Rangers went to arrest him.

Scaman is no stranger to scandal.

He was fired from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and lost the Falls County sheriff’s race in 2012 after a photo surfaced of him posing with a stripper when he was a TABC agent.

Starting in 2017, just months after he’d won the 2016 race for sheriff, Scaman was accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women who worked for him including his former assistant chief deputy, and a dispatcher/jailer named Shirley Boger.

Boger’s attorney released a statement to KWTX on behalf of his client Monday night.

“Sheriff Scaman has repeatedly abused his position of power and violated the public trust," said attorney Ryan Johnson. "I hope and pray that his victims can find justice and that Falls County will finally stand up for those who have been mistreated by Scaman.”

KWTX attempted to reach Scaman Monday night but received no immediate response.

Scaman, a Republican, took office on Jan. 1, 2017 succeeding longtime Sheriff Ben Kirk, who decided not to seek a fifth term.

As of now, he faces a challenge in November from Democrat Joe Lopez.

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