Lincoln County sheriff charged with sexual abuse of a minor, lewd conduct and rape

Lincoln County’s sheriff was arrested Friday night on felony charges of sexual abuse of a child under 16, lewd conduct with a minor and rape, reports say.

According to the Times-News, KMVT and KTVB, Rene Rodriguez, 40, of Shoshone, was arrested by Idaho State Police. KMVT reports his bail is currently set at $500,000. Rodriguez is being held at the Blaine County Jail.

Rodriguez had been on leave — a request from Rodriguez — from the sheriff’s office since Feb. 4, according to the Times-News. Documents obtained by the Times-News revealed Rodriguez appeared to be under investigation.

“His attorney, Michael Wood of Twin Falls, asked in the first week of March to extend the leave for up to two more months without pay,” the Times-News’ story states. “Commissioner Roy Hubert told the Times-News at the time that the did not know why Rodriguez had requested the leave, and attorney Wood declined to comment.”