Former Jasper County Detective sent to prison for corruption

Former Jasper County Sheriff's Office Investigator and Evidence Custodian, Michael Lee Barrett, entered a guilty plea to 94 total counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer, Theft by Taking, Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, and Tampering with Evidence. Barrett was sentenced to 50 years with the first 10 years to be served in prison. District Attorney Stephen A. Bradley called the crimes a "profound betrayal of trust" that impacted many cases. Judge Amanda S. Petty sentenced Barrett saying that he had "tarnished the reputation of good men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. ... Lots of people have addiction problems but they don't do this."