Judge lets Scaman keep position; new details released in case

Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman was released from Bell County Jail the night of Sept. 22 following charges of two felonies and three misdemeanors.

He was indicted by the Falls County Grand Jury that morning and was later arrested by Texas Rangers on one of count of sexual assault (felony,) two counts of assault of a public servant (felony,) and two counts of official oppression (misdemeanor.)

Falls County District Attorney Jody Gilliam immediately recused herself from the case.

Bond was set by Falls County District Judge Bryan Russ Jr. at $195,000.

There were 18 bond conditions attached initially, but Russ removed five of them before signing the final copy. 

The withdrawn conditions would have taken away Scaman’s badge, his ability to operate as an officer of the law without court approval, as well as his ability to carry a gun or operate a police vehicle.

An ankle monitor requirement was also rejected, but while out on bail he cannot leave Falls County or the State of Texas without permission.

This is not the first time that these kinds of claims have been made about Scaman, who had two cases dismissed in Judge Alan Albright's court under similar pretenses in 2018.

The newest indictment, now released, details the allegations against the peace officer, citing multiple incidents this year with two separate victims. 

Scaman is accused of assaulting a female employee of the Falls County Jail on April 1 while they were both on the job. The indictment alleges that the superior inappropriately touched the victim's genitals, as well as kissed and groped her without consent.

The second incident is said to have happened on Aug. 5, where the defendant is accused of using his fingers and/or hand to forcibly penetrate an adult female victim. He is also accused of shoving the victim up against a vehicle and pulling her hair, also without consent, while knowing that the victim was both an employee of the City of Marlin and en route to an emergency situation.

Both victims allege that Scaman asked them for favors of a sexual nature, as well as made sexually explicit advances, comments, and gestures.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) officials confirmed to KWTX that they are looking into the case and are awaiting court documents.

Texas law states that the only way for a sheriff to be stripped of their position is to be convicted of (at minimum) a misdemeanor, but with stipulations involved.  The removal process can't begin unless a resident of the county files a petition for it with the district court of that county.

A felony conviction results in an immediate removal from office, though if an appeal is filed, they hold their position while the suit is pending.

A jury, however, can choose to suspend the officer pending the appeal.

A sheriff can also be removed from office incompetency, official misconduct or intoxication. Incompetency, under Texas law, means the following: gross ignorance of official duties; gross carelessness in the discharge of those duties; or unfitness or inability to promptly and properly discharge official duties because of serious physical or mental defects that did not exist at the time of the officer's election.

The definition of "official misconduct" under Texas law is, "The intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law. This includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by the law."

With the election in less than six weeks, Falls County citizens have a decision to make with how to move forward with the next official. Scaman will remain as acting Falls County Sheriff until he is either succeeded, removed, or convicted.

More details on this developing story will be released as they are available.