County supervisors clarify issue involving gun of former sheriff
by Larry S. Chowning
The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors continues to find issues with former sheriff Guy Abbott’s desire to purchase his service weapon for $1.05.
The board first agreed to allow Abbott, upon his retirement from office on December 31, 2011, to purchase his service handgun for $1.05.
However, in December, on the advice of county attorney Mike Soberick, the board voted not to allow Abbott to purchase his weapon unless he is found innocent of the 25 felony charges that have been brought against him.
At that meeting, Soberick stated that the Firearms Transaction Center of the Virginia State Police informed him Abbott is not eligible to purchase the gun upon retirement because he faces felony indictments.
The board learned last week that Abbott had turned in a new, never-been-fired weapon as his service weapon, which he wants to purchase for $1.05 if he is found innocent of the felony charges.
The prospect of selling Abbott a new gun for $1.05 did not sit well with the supervisors or county officials.
County administrator Charles Culley said he was surprised when the weapon was brought to his office, and also when he heard that assistant county administrator Marcia Jones was told by Abbott the gun was new.
Carlton Revere made the motion and the board voted unanimously to turn the new weapon over to the current sheriff, David Bushey, and sell Abbott his old weapon for $1.05 if he is found innocent.
Revere moved that the sheriff’s old service weapon be turned over to the treasurer [to store], and the new gun be returned to the sheriff’s department.
“I think we should keep the old service weapon in inventory and if he’s found innocent of the charges then he’s welcome to purchase that,” said Revere.
On Monday, Abbott, who was not at the January meeting, responded, “I didn’t realize this was going to be a big deal. I’ll be glad to take the old gun.”
Abbott added, “Nobody has complained about the thousands of dollars saved through the [Middlesex County Sheriff’s] Auxiliary, and the work my deputies and I have done for the county,” said Abbott.
Abbott indicated his department purchased five new guns in 2011 with grant funds. The new gun he gave the county upon retirement was one of those guns. “I don’t want people to think that I went out and bought a new gun for myself after the election,” he said. “The gun has been in my possession since April 2011.”
