Former Sheriff Billy Long will remain behind bars at the Bradley County Jail awaiting action by a Federal Grand Jury on charges the FBI brought against him last Saturday.
He appeared briefly before Magistrate Bill Carter on Friday afternoon and waived a detention hearing and preliminary hearing. His attorney, Jerry Summers, reserved the right to ask for a detention hearing later.
Charges against him of bribery, money laundering, providing a gun to a felon and drug trafficking will now go to the Grand Jury.
He is due to appear before Magistrate Carter for an arraignment on March 5 at 2 p.m. The date for his trial will then be set. It must be set within 70 days of the arraignment.
The man who served 16 months as sheriff after a 31-year career in the sheriff's office resigned Wednesday. The County Commission will name an interim sheriff, then there will be an election on Aug. 7.
Long entered the courtroom handcuffed and with his head bowed. He later looked up briefly and smiled at his wife, who was on the front row. His son and other family members were also present.
He was wearing a red jail jumpsuit instead of the jeans jacket he wore his first two court appearances.
Prosecutor Gary Humble, who earlier called Long "a danger to the community," again said the government was seeking detention.
The FBI said he accepted numerous cash payments, shook down Indian store owners, offered to protect illegal video machines and warn them of raids, gave a felon a badge and a gun, and was involved in a cocaine shipment set up by the FBI.
Those at the hearing included County Commission Chairman Bill Hullander, County Attorney Rheubin Taylor and top sheriff officials Ron Parsons and Don Gorman.