Lincoln County Sheriff Wiley Calcote was indicted today on 15counts in a variety of alleged crimes relating to his duties inoffice by a Lincoln County Grand Jury.

The 15-count indictment includes nine counts of embezzlement bya public official, two counts of failure to confine inmates, twocounts of tampering with a witness, a single count of wire fraudand one count of insurance fraud. Thirteen of the counts arefelonies and two are misdemeanors.

An indictment is simply the official instrument setting forththe crimes for which Calcote has been charged and does not conveyguilt or innocence, said Dee Bates, district attorney for the 14thCircuit Court District.

The sheriff turned himself in to Pike County authorities around3 p.m. today.

Calcote was released on his recognizance by a special CircuitCourt judge, who was appointed to preside over the case after both14th Circuit Court District judges recused themselves.

“As of this time, no date has been set for Calcote’s arraignmentor other court appearances,” Bates said. “Those dates will bedetermined by the special circuit judge.”

Editor’s note: Additional details will be available inThursday’s DAILY LEADER.