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Indicted Sheriff Files for Re-Election in Chester County

Chester County Sheriff's Office

Of the 39 county sheriff's races on tap satewide this November, the liveliest could be the one in Chester County, where two incumbents will vie to win the office.

On theone side is Republican Max Dorsey, who has served as Chester’s interim sheriff since last year.  Dorsey took over the office after the county’s last-elected sheriff, Democrat Alex Underwood, was relieved of his duties by Gov. Henry McMaster. The governor’s actions came after federal authorities raided Underwood’s office and indicted him on charges including brutality, stemming from a live-streamed  2018 raffic incident) and misappropriation of public funds. 

Two deputies, Robert Sprouse and Johhny Neal, were also brought up on federal charges.

Last November, a state grand jury also indicted Underwood, accusing him of misappropriating public money.

Though he is still facing federal and state charges, Underwood is, technically, still the sheriff of Chester County. He also remains popular with the county’s African-American voters. African-Americans make up about 40 percent of Chester’s population, according to the U.S. Census.