Updated August 23, 2019

 Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely was arrested Thursday on theft and ethics charges that include accusations of taking money from campaign and law enforcement accounts.

Blakely, who has been sheriff of the north Alabama county since 1983, was booked into his own jail and was later released on $49,000 bail.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said a grand jury indicted Blakely on 13 charges. The office said the charges include taking money from campaign and law enforcement funds and using his position to get interest-free loans. He allegedly took money from a safe that was used to store the Limestone County inmates’ personal funds.

Court records were not immediately available to show details of the charges.

Attorney Mark McDaniel, who represents Blakely, said the sheriff will plead not guilty, noting he has served the people of the county and state for many years.