BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A sheriff in Florida is accused of allowing prisoners out of jail without court permission for short periods so they could visit with family or meet girlfriends in motel rooms.

State Attorney Willie Meggs petitioned a circuit judge Tuesday to find Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young in contempt for allowing prisoners to be furloughed before they posted bond or finished their sentences. He detailed more than 100 cases, including several prisoners being released after being charged with or convicted of felonies.

Young angrily denied any wrongdoing and said Meggs is trying to sabotage him because he’s black.

Meggs is white. He who wouldn’t comment on the case, saying he would let the petition speak for itself.

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