Shoshone sheriff, prosecutor at odds

Allies just four years ago, the Shoshone County sheriff and prosecutor are political enemies.

Sheriff Chuck Reynalds, who endorsed Democrat Michael Peacock when he took on the incumbent prosecutor in 2004, criticizes him for settling too many cases without going to trial. The sheriff this year is endorsing Val Siegel – the incumbent Peacock ousted with Reynalds’ help four years ago.

But it won’t be a rematch.

Peacock has decided against seeking a second term, saying he’d rather spend the time doing whatever it takes to help get rid of Reynalds so that Shoshone County can have a “competent, ethical sheriff.” He’s endorsing Reynalds’ political opponent, Gary Yergler, a longtime logger who traded his chain saw for a police badge in 2005.

“I think we need a sheriff who can lead the Sheriff’s Office into the 21st century,” Peacock said Friday. “I didn’t feel like I could campaign for myself and whoever ran against (Reynalds).”

It’s election season in Shoshone County, where there’s no such thing as six degrees of separation.

Siegel will face off against another former prosecutor in May’s Democratic primary. In November, the winner will go up against a 26-year-old rookie lawyer running as an independent.

Peacock has taken a handful of cases to trial since becoming prosecutor.

In a community letter announcing he wouldn’t seek re-election, Peacock defended his decision to end cases in plea deals, saying the result is often the same as if a case had gone to trial. He says it saves thousands of dollars in court costs and attorney fees.

Peacock alleges some crime reports were never forwarded to his office for prosecution due to “incomplete or ongoing detective work or some other unknown reason.”

Reynalds takes issue with Peacock’s letter – especially any implication that Reynalds is unethical or incompetent and that his deputies are responsible for the “lack of prosecution.”

“I was not a happy camper when I read that,” he said. “I don’t believe the community believes that about me. If I did, I don’t think I’d be running for office.”

The 66-year-old former fraud investigator said his accomplishments as sheriff include improving technology at the Sheriff’s Office, a switch to four-wheel-drive vehicles and community policing and sheriff’s labor programs.

He said he wants to continue the work he’s been doing.

Yergler, a 59-year-old former logger, became involved in law enforcement as a member of the county’s search-and-rescue team in 1997 and became a sworn deputy in 2005. In October, the Kingston resident joined the Kellogg Police Department.

“I believe that the Sheriff’s Department has to be a hub of service for all of the local agencies and I would concentrate on making that happen better than it does,” Yergler said. “I would also work on getting a stronger drug-fighting presence out there, hopefully get out there at the interdiction level where we can stop it at the start.”

He’s reluctant to address the conflict between Peacock and Reynalds.

“The sheriff’s office is, in essence, an investigative arm of the prosecutor’s office,” Yergler said. “We do our groundwork so he can do his finish work in the courtroom and uphold the interests and needs of the citizens.”

Since he was voted out of office in 2004, Siegel has worked as a deputy public defender in Kootenai County.

His primary election opponent this year, Jack Rose, spent 15 years in the prosecutor’s office from 1977 to 1993, the last four as elected prosecutor.

Siegel’s platform is aggressive prosecution. He said he’s running because he was courted by cops who were “dissatisfied with the level of prosecution.” He also wants to start a drug court program.

Rose is reluctant to discuss the issue of plea bargains, saying that was a conflict between the sheriff’s office and Peacock.

Instead, Rose touts his experience in both civil and criminal practice – he’s been both a prosecutor and defense attorney. His background in planning and zoning issues will be a benefit in growing Shoshone County, he said.

Independent James McMillan automatically advances to the November election.

“I would adopt a strict policy toward sex offenders and drug dealers,” McMillan said, adding that he would not “settle or plea for shorter sentences” in cases where there’s little chance of rehabilitation.

Though he’s just starting his career – he graduated from University of Idaho’s law school in September 2006 – McMillan said he’s “experienced enough to be competent.”

He worked a short time for the now-defunct Amaro Law Firm before opening his own firm in his hometown of Wallace.

“I believe when you’re involved in one specific area for too long you lose touch, lose – for lack of a better word – the common sense approach,” he said.

He said it’s time for new blood in the courthouse.