Franklin County sheriff makes his first court appearance

The sheriff of Franklin County, Kan., made his first court appearance Wednesday after being charged last week with official misconduct.

Jeffry D. Curry appeared in Franklin County District Court in Ottawa, where a preliminary hearing is set for April 1.

Curry also is facing a civil ouster proceeding that seeks to remove him from office. A hearing in that matter is set for March 14.

Curry is charged with a felony count of interference with law enforcement and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.

The misconduct charge alleges that Curry used confidential information to benefit himself or someone else or to intentionally cause harm to someone else. Prosecutors have not commented on specifics of the criminal allegations, and a judge ordered the civil case sealed.

A Franklin County deputy, Jerrod W. Fredricks, also was charged with interference with law enforcement. He is scheduled to appear in court April 1 as well.

The interference charges allege that they provided false information to a police investigative agency.

Both men are free on bond while the cases are pending.