Former Ohio sheriff appeals public corruption conviction

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — A former southeast Ohio sheriff found guilty of public corruption is appealing the conviction.

The attorney for former Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly filed the notice of appeal Thursday. Kelly was convicted in February of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, theft in office, perjury and other charges. He was sentenced last month to seven years in prison.

Kelly’s attorney Scott Wood also asked that Kelly’s sentence be suspended pending a decision by the 4th District Court of Appeals.

The Athens Messenger reports Wood wrote in court documents that Kelly poses no flight risk, pointing out that the 64-year-old former sheriff has lived and worked in Athens County his entire life and that he never missed a court appearance.