Rock Island Sheriff Pleads, Resigns After Cyberstalking Charges

The sheriff of Rock Island County has resigned his post and dropped his re-election bid, after pleading no-contest to charges connected with cyberstalking.

The state attorney general’s office says Democrat Jeffrey Boyd entered what’s known as an Alford plea to attempted official misconduct charges Thursday --- not admitting guilt, but acknowledging that prosecutors can likely prove the charges.

The 48-year-old Boyd was accused of using his position as sheriff to intimidate and threaten a woman he met at a Rock Island gym. The woman, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, received repeated text messages from Boyd, including, say prosecutors, an anonymous threatening message in June.

"Mr. Boyd was elected by the people of Rock Island County to serve as its top law enforcement officer, but unfortunately he attempted to use his position to intimidate and stalk his victim,'' Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a news release.

The resignation and withdrawal of his re-election bid are part of Boyd's plea agreement, Boyd also forfeits his state pension, and is forbidden to contact the woman.