HAMLIN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The legal troubles for Lincoln County’s assessor, arrested about two months ago in a domestic battery incident, continued this week, according to court records. The latest episode apparently led to his resignation today (Thursday).
Charges say Jereme Browning, 39, was found apparently impaired in his courthouse office and the Lincoln County Assessor’s Office was closed as a result on Wednesday. Sheriff Linville reported the arrest.
Browning was charged with public intoxication and willful disruption of governmental process after the incident Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint filed in Lincoln County Magistrate Court.
Officials emphasized the belief that Browning’s condition was caused by legal medication — not illegal drugs or liquor. Nevertheless, he could not pass a field sobriety test Wednesday.
That led to his arrest by Linville. The Assessor’s office was closed for the day, Linville said.
The complaint said Browning was found in his office by courthouse staff sleeping on a couch. After staff members tried to awaken Browning, he “seemed to be in an altered state,” the complaint went on.
Court records said the assessor’s office had to be closed due to the assessor’s condition. A news release from Sheriff Linville said the assessor’s staff walked off the job as a result of the incident.
Interestingly, the staff did not return Thursday, courthouse sources said. “He was charged and safely at home but they decided not to work,” said a different courthouse official. The workers are expected to return Friday, a source said.
The Lincoln County Commission was scheduled to meet this evening to discuss a possible replacement. According to state law, the replacement must be a Democrat like Browning. The three Lincoln commissioners are Democrats.
Because more than two years remain on Browning’s term, voters will select someone to fill it during this year’s election. That will lead to a 2024 contest to return to regular terms.
Commissioner Josh Stowers said Thursday evening that the commission had met, agreed to advertise the position and will have 30 days to fill it. The Chief Deputy Assessor was authorized to sign all required paperwork until a replacement is appointed, Stowers said.