Christian County to swear in interim sheriff

The Christian County Commission is scheduled to swear in its choice for interim sheriff tomorrow morning, two weeks after Joey Kyle resigned from office.

After holding interviews with seven candidates for the interim position May 28, the commission chose Dwight McNiel for the role on June 1, said Kay Brown, county clerk.

McNiel, who served as Christian County sheriff 1985-88, will work in the interim role until an Aug. 4 special election is held to fill out the remainder of Kyle’s term ending Dec. 31, 2016, Brown said. McNiel also founded Ozark-based investigation firm Midwest Intelligence Inc. in 1989.

Brown said her office will accept petitions for the August election until June 27. No petitions have yet been filed, she said.

In November 2016, voters will again head to the polls to select the next permanent sheriff for a four-year term, Brown said.

Former Sheriff Kyle pleaded guilty May 20 to embezzling county funds and laundering the proceeds of a political supporter’s investment fraud scheme. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Kyle agreed to immediately resign his post, serve one year and one day in federal prison and pay restitution. He was elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]