The same day he confirmed being under state investigation, Rock Island County Sheriff Jeff Boyd pleaded guilty to attempted misconduct based on attempted cyber-stalking, and resigned.
In exchange for his plea in the case, Boyd agreed to resign from his position as sheriff.
Boyd confirmed earlier Thursday, September 11, 2014 that he was the subject of a state investigation. Rock Island State’s Attorney John McGehee said he referred an investigation concerning Boyd to the Illinois Attorney General.
Online court records showed a charge filed against Boyd September 11, 2014, alleging attempted cyber-stalking. The charge was a class A misdemeanor.
The charge stemmed from allegations that Boyd sent repeated text messages in an attempt to intimidate and threaten a woman he met at a gym.
A statement from the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, alleges that in June the woman, who is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, feared for her safety when Boyd sent a threat in an anonymous text message.
The official language used to describe the charge against Boyd was attempted official misconduct based on attempted cyber-stalking.
Boyd's wife was by his side as the charges, plea and his resignation were announced Thursday afternoon, September 11.
In addition to his resignation, Boyd forfeited the pension he would have received as a sheriff, but remained eligible for the pension he earned as a deputy for the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department.
“Mr. Boyd was elected by the people of Rock Island County to serve as its top law enforcement officer, but unfortunately he attempted to use his position to intimidate and stalk his victim,” said Madigan. “My office sought his resignation and criminal conviction to ensure he can no longer abuse the power that the people of Rock Island County entrusted in him.”
Boyd's resignation was to become official Friday, September 12, 2014. Undersheriff Gerry Bustos would become Acting Sheriff at that time.
Boyd was elected Rock Island County Sheriff in 2010.
Boyd is a Democrat who ran unopposed in the March 2014 primary election.
The Rock Island County Elections Division list of candidates showed he was running unopposed in the November 4, 2014 election. Absentee voting for that election was scheduled to begin October 8, 2014.