Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely was convicted of two felonies in 2021 and sentenced to three years in prison. After serving just over one year in jail, the board granted him parole after a 2-1 vote.
Blakely served as Limestone County Sheriff for 38 years but was automatically removed on August 3, 2021, when a Limestone County jury found him guilty of first-degree theft and using his public office for personal gain. He remained out of custody on bond as his case was being appealed.
Blakely turned himself into the Franklin County Jail in February 2023, and it is unclear why the former sheriff was never moved to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC); his custody status on the ADOC website has remained "on the way."
Sheriff Shannon Oliver told 1819 News that Blakely had been on work release since his third week in jail. In November 2023, Blakely was caught on camera in a grocery store in violation of his work release. When asked if he had any repercussions for his work release violations in 2023, Oliver said he was put on lockdown for one week.
It is unclear how quickly he will be released from jail, but Blakely was also sentenced to two years of probation in addition to his three-year jail sentence.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com or on Twitter @BradleyCoxAL
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
