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Bustos sworn in as Sheriff, new text message revealed

There’s a new sheriff in Rock Island County, one day after the now former top cop resigned amid scandal. Capt. Gerry Bustos was sworn in Friday afternoon ...

There's a new sheriff in Rock Island County, one day after the now former top cop resigned amid scandal.

Capt. Gerry Bustos was sworn in Friday afternoon to replace ex-Sheriff Jeff Boyd.

"This day comes with a heavy heart," Bustos said after the swearing-in ceremony.  "Today is not so much a celebration for me," he said.

"While he (Boyd) was the leader of our office, what happened with Sheriff Boyd's resignation yesterday is not and should not be a reflection of the commitment we have to our citizens of Rock Island County," he said.

Boyd resigned on Thursday, September 11, 2014, after pleading guilty to sending harassing text messages to a woman he met at a DePaepes Gym in Rock Island.

According to a criminal complaint, Boyd used his position as Sheriff to threaten and intimidate the woman in a series of unwanted text messages.

On June 6, acccording to the complaint, Boyd sent the woman a series of text messages, and "after she told Jeffrey Boyd to leave her alone, he sent her a message in Spanish which translates to "F---ing ugly whore...Who I am is not important what is important is what you have done and what you are  {?} doing."

It's the only text message released by authorities.

Boyd pleaded guilty to attempted official misconduct based on attempted cyber-stalking, a misdemeanor.

The Illinois State Police investigated the complaint by the victim which was initially filed back in April. The Illinois Attorney General's Office prosecuted the case, and under the terms of the plea deal, Boyd resigned.

Bustos is a 30-year veteran of the department and the head of the Quad City Bomb Squad.  He is married to Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who did not attend Friday's swearing-in ceremony. He says he will serve out Boyd's remaining term which ends December 1st.

"Let's move on, let's protect, let's serve," Bustos said.

Meanwhile, County Clerk Karen Kinney says she has spoken with the State Board of Elections about how to replace Boyd on the ballot.

The one term Democrat was running unopposed without a Republican candidate.

Kinney says once Boyd files to withdraw his name, Democratic party chair Doug House has 8 days to field candidates and submit a new one to be placed on the ballot.

Kinney says the Republican slot on the ballot will remain blank because "they didn't file a candidate in the first place."

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